ARTHUR SONTEN 

A Comedy 




ROBIN ERNEST DUNBAR 
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 



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Arthur Sonten 



A Comedy in Three Acts 



ROBIN ERNEST DUNBAR 

Author of ' ' The DeteSlhe Business ' ' 

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 






Copyrighted 1913 and 

Published by the Author, from zuhom the 

right to stage this play should 

be procured. 



TMP96-007233 



CCID 3 2 5 J :i 

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PREFACE. 



AS everybody knows, I have been engaged for the 
past several years on such trivial matters as this 
comedy contains. At the start I wrote dramatic 
dialogues for the commoner of the literary papers (such 
innocuous sheets and lovers of good English as "The 
Chicago Daily Socialist," "The Wage Slave," and simi- 
lar widely popular organs — since defunct), essays and 
sketches for "The International Socialist Review," 
"The Appeal to Reason" and "The Industrial Worker." 
I broke into the columns of "Solidarity" under an 
alias and into the coffers of "Collier's" on an alibi; 
then I faced about to make a frontal attack on the less 
esteemed but more highly remunerative bourgeois 
press without putting a single dent into its treasury. 
I waylaid the theatrical managers and their par- 
asites the dramatic agents, and was fortunate enough 
to escape with my life. I'll not speak of the ef- 
forts I made to please the publishers of our present 
"literature", except to say that I never went so far as 
to try to hold them up with verse, rhymed or blank. 
Finally, after I had somewhat glimpsed the difficult 
world of commercial art and the simple one of artistic 
commerce, and had respectfully declined the offers of 
several eleemosynary gentlemen to promote my plays 
for a small consideration, I formed "The Hoosier 
Dramatic Club". That moment was the turning point 



of a checkered career! Just as a policeman's club is 
the peaceful means of promoting the prosperity of an 
industrial people, so an author's club is the potent me- 
dium by which to advance the welfare of a dramat- 
urgic society. Before the conception of the H. D. C, 
I was numbered with the other ten thousand rejected 
aspirants for literary fame; after its formation, I 
leaped immediately into the front with those who have 
been both accepted and produced ! Here is a hint that 
will instantly be seized upon by the other 9,999! You 
are welcome to it, ladies and gentlemen, and raay God 
bless you ! The way they are building theatres and 
cinematographs now-a-days, there is room for us all ! 

As I was saying, my club proved the stepping- 
stone to fortune, as they put it in our readers. Un- 
der its auspices eight comedies were read before 
several friends and an imported smoked cat. The edi- 
tor of our home paper duly chronicled the meetings in 
his society column. At last I was famous ! Of course, 
I took ample note of the effect of the scenes on my 
audience, paying particular attention to the critical 
attitude of Sir Archibald. He is English-bred, and 
knows all the tricks of the game ; if I could only hold 
his burnished copper eyes, I was sure of retaining 
those of his superiors in intelligence, if not in experi- 
ence. To be entirely frank — and frankness is my only 
virtue — I did lose his attention on two occasions, but 
they were entirely excusable ones. A mouse ventured 
to leave its hole, during one of my quiet scenes, and 



diverted his mind, as well as my own, from the main 
business of the meeting. (The living drama is so far 
ahead of the most vivid art!) On another occasion, 
Sir Archie caught sight of a neighbor's Tom — an ill- 
bred, ugly, alley creature — and jumped right through 
the window screen after him. (That reminds me, I 
must repair that hole before spring!) Outside these 
untoward accidents, our rehearsals went on as smooth- 
ly and as quietly as those of a comic opera troupe! 
However, I retouched the damaged scenes so that not 
even such unexpected appearances might divert a sin- 
gle optic from the thread of my plot; I added two 
mice and one common cat to the cast. (Sir A., who 
has a habit of peeking over my shoulder as I write, 
purred contentedly at the word ''mice", but shuddered 
horribly at the expression, "common cat!") 

I see I have put my foot into it ! Having mentioned 
three of my actors, it would be invidious to the oth- 
ers not to name them. However, I can not go on 
with a bare enumeration without making my preface 
longer (and more interesting) than — a recent one 
you've all read. Here are just my stars : Lester 
Diamond, Arthur Cohn, Joseph Brazy, Hazel Berkey, 
Helen Schermann and Marcella Buckel. There is 
some danger, I am aware, in making them known to 
the world; as, although none is "resting" at present, 
all are willing to "accept a better part." 



As I have a high opinion of the art of criticism, I've 
decided to offer, as a special prize to the critic who will 
use the greatest number of condemnatory-ejaculatory 
adjectives in the review of this work — including the 
Preface — the pick of Sir Archibald's next get. The 
only condition attached to the competition is that the 
paper containing the critique must be securely wrapped 
around a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, with the writer's 
name plainly scratched on the unbroken seal and par- 
cel-posted to me, and I shall give both articles my full- 
est attention. 

(Sir Archibald licked his chops as he saw these 
words. I wonder if he was a play-wright's cat over 
yonder? He has all the ear-marks of an animal used 
to the highest luxury.) 

Jan. 27, 1913. 



PERSONS OF THE PLAY. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 

HARLBAR SONTEN, his father, 

ALBERT SONTEN, his brother, 

FERDINAND CHEEVERS, an apostle, 

SAM SAWERS, \ 

TOM JINKS, / members of 

> the 

FRANK PELT, revolution , 

JIM BORT, / 

ELTINE SONTEN, Arthur's wife, 

ELLA SONTEN, his mother, 

LOLITA ELDERS, his sister, 

MILDRED SONTEN, his daughter, 

MINNIE SAWERS, Sam's wife, 

MOLLY JINKS, Tom's wife, 

MAGGIE McTISH, servant of Harlbar Sonten. 

Members of the Black Oaks Dramatic Club and of the 
First Lutheran Church Choir. 



ACT I. 

Harlbar Sonten's Sitting Room. Last quarter of 
the nineteenth century. — Fall. 

ACT II. 

Horseshoers' Hall. First decade of the twentieth 
century. — Winter. 

ACT III. 

Arthur Sonten's Library at Black Oaks. The pres- 
ent. — Summer. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 



ACT I. 



Harlbar Sonten's sitting room, Sunday morning. 
Doors to dining room {center) and to bedroom and 
parlor {right). Table in middle of room, on which 
lies the family bible. Chairs for six. 

harlbar. Please keep quiet while I read the les- 
son. Where is Albert? 

ella {calling). Albert! Come in to morning 
prayers ! 

albert {coming in). I won't hang around this 
old hole all morning. I've got something else to do. 

ella. Albert! Sit down and be quiet! It won't 
take long. 

albert (sits ungraciously. Mumbles). D — d old 
hole! 

harlbar (puts on his glasses). We'll read this 
morning (opening bible casually) from the Prophet 
Isaiah, Chapter XXXVI, and beginning with the 
twelfth verse — 

ella. Sh! Keep quiet, children! 



10 ARTHUR SONTEN 

harlbar. "But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master 
sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words ? 
Hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, 
that they may eat their own" — hem — meat — "with you 
and drink their own" — own wine — "with you? Then 
Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the 
Jews' language, and said, Hear ye the words of the 
great king, the king of Assyria. Thus saith the king, 
Let not Hezekiah deceive you ; for he shall not be 
able to deliver you." — Let us kneel in prayer. {They 
kneel; Albert not very devoutly.) O Lord, I beseech 
thee to keep us from blaspheming thy name as Rab- 
shakeh did to the men that sat upon the wall. Pre- 
serve us from all impurity, and endow us with proper 
understanding to read thy word in a contrite spirit. 
In our daily intercourse with one another, let us not 
deceive one another, for we know, with Rabshakeh, 
that Hezekiah shall not be able to deliver us from the 
sin of untruth. Amen. Let all join in the Lord's 
Prayer, according to St. John. 

all (recite). Our father which art in heaven, hal- 
lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be 
done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us day by day 
our daily bread. 

And forgive us our debts, for we also forgive every 
one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temp- 
tation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. (All rise.) 

harlbar. Now, I want every one to go to church, 
for it is Arthur's baptismal day. You should take 
especial care not to misbehave While Arthur is 
young for the ordeal, yet he thoroughly knows what he 
is about, or at least has sufficient understanding to 
make a free will choice. Arthur! Come here. (Puts 
his hand on Arthur's head.) Mother and I are very 
proud of you ! We look to you to go through the 



ARTHUR SONTEN 11 

ceremony without faltering, and eventually to grow 
into a strong member of the church. 

Arthur (earnestly). I will not disappoint you, 
father ! 

ella. I'm so rejoiced the children are coming with- 
in the fold, one by one. Albert, you ought to be 
ashamed of yourself, to stay out, when all the others 
are entering. (Harlbar leaves the room.) 

albert. I'm going out to the woods to-day. I hate 
your musty old church. 

ella. Sh ! Don't let your father hear you say 
that. You know what he said about every one attend- 
ing. You are no exception. 

albert. Well, I'm not going, just the same. He 
daren't touch me. I'm loaded for him. (Brandishes 
a long billy.) 

ella. Another one! Give that to me! Haven't I 
told you never to fetch another billy into the house? 

albert (puts the billy into his pocket). I don't 
care what you said. I'm a-going to look out for my- 
self, and there are some fellows in this town I've got 
it in for. They've got to let me alone or I'll make 
them, I will. 

ella. You'll do no such thing ! You'll give me that 
weapon right now or I'll tell your father. Come, hand 
it to me ! 

albert. I won't ! It's mine ! 

ella (calling). Father, come here! 

albert (throwing billy down viciously). Well, 
take it! But I'll make another one. I'll not stand 
being abused by everybody in this town. You won't 



12 ARTHUR SONTEN 

see me around this old hole after this, either. (He 
slams door after him just as Harlbar comes in.) 

harlbar (calls) . Albert! (Goes to door and 
calls.) Albert! (Turns back.) He dodged around 
that corner pretty quick! What was the matter this 
time? 

ella (conceals billy). They have been teasing him 
again, and he said he wasn't going to church this 
morning. 

harlbar. Well, he is, just the same! 

ella. They worry the wits out of him. I'm afraid 
they'll drive him to do something desperate ! 

harlbar. I don't know what to say. It's all that 
injury in his head. I was in hopes he would outgrow 
it, but he doesn't seem to. It's too bad, but no doubt 
the Lord wants to try us. 

ella. I blame myself for not letting the doctors 
operate on his skull when they wanted to. It's too 
late now. 

harlbar. Yes ; it's too late. When they told us the 
operation might kill him, we both said, No. Now, 
that he is so much older, it would be murder to try it. 

ella. Yes, yes ! How many times have we gone 
over that together ! It's past now, and we must en- 
dure our affliction with proper resignation. Sometimes 
I'm afraid you'll let your temper get the best of you 
and cause you to do something you'll regret. 

harlbar. I will ask the Lord for strength to over- 
come my infirmity. But brush aside those thoughts! 
To-day we have something over which to rejoice ex- 
ceedingly. Arthur has been a wild youngster, — his 
coming into the fold will pacify his spirit. We shall 



ARTHUR SONTEN 13 

have peace in the family once more. It is all owing 
to your teaching, too. You have done right in forc- 
ing the children to attend church and Sunday school 
regularly. The lessons have brought forth ripe fruit. 

ella. I give credit to Elder Cheevers. He talked 
so fatherly ! Arthur couldn't resist him, but consented 
to be baptized at once. It was a great victory for the 
Elder. Now we can sleep, knowing that not one of 
our children, except Albert, will be damned. And I 
believe the Lord will find room in His heart for our 
black lamb. Not all the chosen are baptized into 
heaven ! 

harlbar. That's true, Mother. We'll let the Lord 
take his own way. But what is that you are hiding in 
your dress? 

ella. Nothing. Albert gave it to me to keep for 
him. It's one of his playthings. I'll just go and lay it 
away. 

harlbar. It's not another one of those (She 

hurries out without anszvering. He shakes his head. 
Elder Cheevers comes in.) 

cheevers. Good morning, Deacon! I see I'm a 
little late for breakfast — but I had to retouch my ser- 
mon a bit — I want it to be very impressive this morn- 
ing, to fit the importance of the occasion. Where is 
Sister Sonten? Busy with her little brood? She is 
quite a general ! You owe »a lot to her, Deacon Sonten. 

harlbar. That I do, Elder. I'll call her from the 
kitchen. She is keeping the kettle boiling for you. 

cheevers. Never mind about me, brother. I'll go 
right out there and get a bite. I never eat very much 
on the morning I preach. A heavy stomach makes a 
drowsy sermon. 



14 ARTHUR SONTEN 

Ella (entering with a tray). Here you are, Elder. 
I heard you talking with the Deacon, and brought 
your breakfast in for you. The table is in such disor- 
der! You can sit right here and talk while you eat. 
(She prepares a small table for him.) 

cheevers. You are very good, Sister, — but I'm 
sure it is not right for me to cause you so much extra 
trouble ! 

ella. It's no trouble at all, only you're apt to keep 
Maggie from service ; but, then, she can attend this 
evening. 

cheevers (breezily). So she can! (He eats vo- 
raciously.) Your cooking is almost divine, Sister 
Sonten. 

ella. Won't you have some more pancakes? 

cheevers. A very few, if it is not too much both- 
er! (Ella goes out with plate.) How is Arthur feel- 
ing this morning, Deacon Sonten, — a little nervous? 

harlbar. No ; he seems cheerful. Arthur is older 
than his years. He is the youngest of our family to 
accept Christ, but he is the firmest in his faith. 

cheevers. He is, indeed, a remarkable lad. You 
should direct his course towards the ministry. (Ella 
returns with the plate heaped up.) I was just saying 
to the Deacon that you should encourage Arthur to 
enter the ministry, should he hear the call. 

ella. It would be a great blessing if he were called. 
But you know the scripture says, "Many are called, 
few chosen." — You are neglecting your cakes, Elder! 

cheevers. I have eaten more than my wont, Sis- 
ter. However, I'll try to do justice to a couple more. 
(He eats.) 



ARTHUR SONTEN 15 

lolita (a buxom girl, comes in). Mama, I wish 
you would help me do up my hair. 

ella. Lola! You shouldn't speak so before the 
Elder. You will excuse me, Elder, will you not, if I 
assist her a moment? 

cheevers (with his mouth full). Certainly, Sis- 
ter, certainly! Go about your motherly duties the 
same as if I were not present. You know the condi- 
tion of my stopping with you during my ministry 
here is, that you treat me as one of your flock. 

lola. Mama! I don't want my hair braided! I 
want it done up like the rest of the girls. I'm not a 
baby any more ! 

ella. You're not old enough to wear your hair 
done up yet. 

lola. I'm sixteen, so I am ! 

cheevers. Let her have her way, Sister. Girls 
have a habit of becoming young ladies before their 
mothers realize it. 

ella. O, very well ! But she looks so old that way. 

lola. That's better! Shall I wear my new dress? 

ella. If you choose; though I was saving it for 
your party. 

lola. Goody! I'll put it on right now! (She 
dances out.) 

cheevers. You have a very pretty daughter there, 
Sister Sonten. You'll have to watch out or some of 
the young men in the church will be snapping her up 
in front of your nose. 

ella. Oh, she isn't boy-struck yet! Lola is very 
independent — too much so, I'm afraid. But won't you 
have another cup of coffee? You haven't eaten with 
your usual appetite, Elder. 



16 ARTHUR SONTEN 

cheevers. No; no more, thank you! (Ella pours 
a cup.) There; that's plenty. (Ella goes out.) 

harlbar (coming in with his bible in his hand). 
I wish you would help me clear up a passage in the 
lesson for to-day, Elder. I'm in considerable doubt 
how to interpret it to my class. 

cheevers. Go ahead, Deacon ; I'll do the best I can. 

harlbar. The question of Pilate to Christ, "What 
is truth?" — do you take, as the majority of commen- 
tators do, as a jest, or as a sincere inquiry? 

cheevers. I agree with the authorities on that as 
on all doubtful passages. However, I never consider- 
ed that one of the doubtful ones. Pilate's character, 
you know, was base and trifling. He didn't care for 
truth so much as he did for popularity. He was the 
type of Roman politician who wanted to rule without 
being put to any annoyance. Christ was no more to 
him than Barabbas. 

harlbar. I'm aware that is the ordinary interpre- 
tation. But this thought bothers me: — If Pilate was 
jesting and spoke cynically, why should he have said, 
"I find in him no fault at all"? 

cheevers. It makes the Roman's conduct all the 
worse to give up a prisoner while satisfied of his inno- 
cence. 

harlbar. True, true ! But in Matthew XXXII, 24, 
Pilate says, "I am innocent of the blood of this just 
person." Mark XX, 15, says Pilate, willing to con- 
tent the people, delivered Jesus to be crucified. Luke 
XXIII, 14, reports Pilate as again saying, neither he 
nor Herod found any fault in this man. Taking all 
the accounts into consideration, it looks as though the 



ARTHUR SONTEN 17 

trial of Christ was not taken jestingly by Pilate, and 
that his question, "What is truth ?" was no cheap sneer 
on his part. 

cheevers (rising and coming over to Harlbar). 
My dear Deacon, I see that you have gone into this 
question through your concordance, which is to be ex- 
pected of so scholarly a person as yourself. But there 
is a field of biblical criticism outside the bible of which 
you are little aware; where the very gospels them- 
selves are questioned, — not only separate passages. 
Bauer, Schweitzer, and Reimarus are authorities not 
quoted in the quarterly, but they are of weight in the- 
ological seminaries. With them Pilate becomes more 
of a historical personage than Christ himself; in fact, 
of the two, more is actually known of the former than 
of the latter. In all probability, the question put into 
Pilate's mouth by the writers called Matthew, Mark, 
Luke and John — who, by the way, are not the authors 
of the gospels — was never asked by him at all. Pilate 
was not of the philosophical type. 

harlbar. Well, well ! You have shaken me to the 
depths by your remarks, Elder ! I was aware, in a dim 
way, that there was such a criticism current, but I 
never attached any importance to it. 

cheevers. Theology is a study, Deacon. If the 
preacher knew no more than his parishioners, he 
couldn't draw a salary for teaching them. I confess 
I haven't kept up my studies as I should, yet I am 
aware that I am well in advance of the majority of 
the laity. I mention this to you, of course, in confi- 
dence ; out of regard for the high respect I owe you. 

harlbar. I thank you, Elder. But I can't agree 
with you that Pilate's existence here on earth is more 



18 ARTHUR SONTEN 

demonstrable than that of our Savior's. That is out- 
Tomming Tom Paine himself ! 

cheevers. The bible is made up of many writings, 
translations from several tongues, etc. Several apo- 
cryphal books have crept in, and probably several gen- 
uine books have been excluded. Literalism has been 
killed by the researches of scholars. 

harlbar. But Christ himself is not apocryphal ! 
Surely you err when you state that ! 

cheevers. It makes no difference whether he is or 
isn't. The essential truth of Christianity prevails. 

harlbar. The truth ! There we come back to Pi- 
late's question. What is truth ? 

cheevers. God is truth; immortality is truth; reli- 
gion is truth ! Why concern yourself with more ? Take 
the bible as it is ; — the work of man. These larger 
matters — this universe, this soul of mine and yours — 
are works of God. 

harlbar. You may be right, Elder! I thank you 
for your words. But I can't reconcile myself to your 
views right away. I must have time to think them 
over. You have given me quite a shock. 

cheevers. Forget what I have said, Deacon. Or, 
if you are interested in following up the question 
hereafter, I shall be pleased to submit a list of works 
for you to consult. 

harlbar. If I only had the time ! My professional 
duties interfere with my going very deeply into any 
subject outside them. 

cheevers. Certainly! You have your hands full 
providing for your family, which you are doing so 
generously. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 19 

harlbar. Thank you, Elder. I have many trials 
which you know little of. Albert is a source of end- 
less worry to me. Arthur was beginning to become a 
thorn in my flesh, but thanks to you and your preach- 
ing, that has been removed. I look forward to more 
peace than I've had heretofore. 

cheevers. I'm glad to have been an instrument in 
his salvation, and especially glad if it will give you 
peace. Let us trust that Albert, too, will soon see the 
error of his ways and be gathered into the fold. 

harlbar. I fear the Lord gave him to us to chas- 
ten our souls ! But excuse me, Elder. I must speak 
a word with Sister Sonten. {He goes out. Lolita comes 
in, dressed for church.) 

cheevers. Isn't it about time for choir practice? 

lolita. I'm not going to sing to-day. I hate that 
old organist! She wouldn't let me play the pieces I 
wanted to! 

cheevers. You're too young to play on the organ : 
you have a pretty voice ; you should spend your time 
cultivating that and practicing on your piano. Later 
on it will be time to try higher flights. 

lolita. I know a girl who is no older than I am, 
who plays at St. Mark's on the organ, and she plays 
for service, too! 

cheevers. Well, well! That's quite remarkable! 
She must be a sort of prodigy ! 

lolita. I might be, too, if I was given half a 
chance. I don't care ; I'll not sing again until they let 
me play! So, there! 

cheevers. You ought not to cause your parents 
worriment on such a day, — when your brother is tak- 
ing his first steps towards salvation. 



20 ARTHUR SONTEN 

lolita. Oh, Arthur is a little fool ! He got carried 
away by the excitement. I blame you for advising 
father and mother to let him join. What does he know 
about Christianity? He's too young to understand 
what he's doing. 

cheevers. Weren't you taken in at about the same 
age? 

lolita. "Taken in" is right! If I had known as 
much about Christians then as I do now, I would never 
have joined. Most of 'em are hypocrites, and you 
know it! 

cheevers. How you talk! You don't think your 
parents are hypocrites, do you? And your pastor? 

lolita. I didn't say they all are hypocrites, — but 
if there is one in this world it is that Emmy Bunn! 
She won't let me play a note just because she hates me ! 

Arthur (coming in). Why, what's the matter, 
sis? Aren't you going to choir practice this morning? 

lolita. No, I'm not! 

Arthur. But they depend upon you. They can't 
get along without you ! 

cheevers. Oh! she'll go all right, — after she gets 
over her spunky spell! She didn't arrange her hair 
so becomingly for nothing! She has stepped from 
girlhood to womanhood in the twinkling of an eye. 
There will be many a sly glance cast in her direction 
this morning, my boy. She has taken the wind out of 
your sails, and will be the star of the Sonten tamily 
rather than the satellite this day. 

lolita. So you like my dress, do you? 

cheevers (patting her on the head). I like every- 
thing about you, including your temper. (He goes 
out.) 



ARTHUR SONTEN 21 

lolita. Do you want me to sing, Arthur? 

Arthur. Of course, I do! 

lolita. Aren't you scared ? I know I was. 

Arthur. No, I'm not scared. Why should I be ? I 
can swim ! 

lolita. Why did you let old Cheevers fool you ? I 
thought you were too smart for him. 

Arthur. Well, you got baptized, and pa and ma 
wanted me to, and I thought I might as well. Be- 
sides, I believe in the scriptures, — don't you? 

lolita. Of course! But do you feel awful good 
now? 

Arthur. I'm going to try and be good hereafter. 

lolita. And not tease me any more, — or hide my 
doll things? Though, I'm going to put away my dolls 
now. 

Arthur. I won't start teasing you, — if you don't 
me. 

lolita. Well, you must be converted ! I felt the 
same way — only it didn't last long. It's fine while it 
lasts, isn't it? It's just like you were going to die and 
go to heaven right away ! But you'll get over it quick, 
— they all do. (She starts out.) 

Arthur. I wish you would wait and let me walk 
with you. 

lolita. I can't — I'm late for practice already — but 
here they come now. I bet there was no one there 
to pump the organ. 

(Sound of piano.) 



22 ARTHUR SONTEN 

A voice. Lolita! Hain't you coming? 

lolita. In a minute! (She goes into parlor. Song 
is heard — "Hold the Fort for I am Coming." Albert 
comes in, searching for something.) 

Arthur. What do you want? 

albert. You know where she hid it, don't you ? 

Arthur. Hid what? 

albert. Oh, you needn't try to fool me! You 
can't do it. I want my billy, and I'm going to have 
it, too! They can't call me names anymore. I'm go- 
ing to fix 'em, I am. 

Arthur. So ma took another one away from you 
this morning? That's what makes you 'so mad ! (The 
song stops. After a subdued buzz of conversation, 
"Jesus, Lover of My Soul" is faintly heard.) 

albert. She's got to give it back! I bet she hid 
it in her bed room. (He goes and comes back, stick- 
ing billy in his inside pocket.) She can't fool me! I 
found it! 

Arthur. You better let me have it! She'll learn 
that you took it, and she'll tell pa, and he'll lock you 
up in your room again. 

albert. If he tries to, it will be the last time. 

Arthur. What would you do — skip out? 

albert. That's all right what I would do. He'll be 
sorry if he ever hits me again ! I'm not going to take 
any more of his abuse ! 

Arthur. Now, look here, Albert! Why don't you 
put that murderous thing away, and come to church 
with me? You are not acting right the way you are 
doing — you'll only get into trouble ! 



ARTHUR SONTEN 23 

albert. No one treats me right in this house! 
They've all got it in for me. 

Arthur. For my sake, give me that billy ! I'll hide 
it where no one can find it, and if ma asks where it 
is, tell her you don't know. 

albert. Will you give it to me again? (Strains of 
"Nearer, My God, to Thee.") 

Arthur. If you need it, I will. 

albert. I need to cut some leathers for it, so I can 
carry it here. (Bares his arm and shows a leather 
wrist band and a sling shot.) 

Arthur. All right ! When you cut the leathers, let 
me know. But you wouldn't hit anyone with it, would 
you? If anyone bothers you, let me know. I'll take 
care of him. 

albert. What could you do against a gang of 
toughs ? 

Arthur. I could — I could talk to it. I know they 
call you "Crazy Bert," but they call me "Crazy Art," 
only I pay no attention to what they say, and 
you do. They holler that just to tease us. I've said 
things to tease you, too, but I'm going to quit. To-day 
marks a change in my life. It may not make any dif- 
ference to some people, being converted, but it makes 
a big difference to me. I am going to keep out of 
the quarrels of this house hereafter. If I can't stop 
them, I can refuse to be drawn into them. I won't 
make fun of you any more, either. 

albert. Say, Art! I know where we can get 
some walnuts — stacks of 'em. But we got to go 
this morning. 

Arthur. You ought not to go on Sunday. Pa 
wouldn't like it. 



24 ARTHUR SONTEN 

albert. I won't ask him. I'll play hookey ! Come 
on! 

Arthur. I could ask ma. I should like to go with 
you — after the ceremony. 

albert. I'll get the bags ready ! We'll have a dandy 
time! (The Doxology is heard.) They will be com- 
ing out in a minute. I don't want them to see me; 
they'll make me go to church. I hate it. I never know 
my lesson. They all laugh at me. Besides, they keep 
me in the baby class all the time. If I could go in 
your class, I wouldn't care. 

Arthur. You never study your lesson. 

albert. I hate lessons! Here they come! (He 
runs out. The choir files in.) 

lolita. I hope the church is warm enough. Last 
Sunday I nearly froze. 

the alto. You should wear heavier underwear. I'm 
going to keep my furs on. 

the tenor. Of course ! You haven't showed them 
off yet. 

lolita. Everybody says they are the late Mrs. 
Cheevers', and you had them made over so no one 
could tell! 

the alto. I suppose your mother said that. She 
needn't be jealous of me. I don't care a snap of my 
fingers for him — although he i s the first preacher I 
ever listened to, — his sermons are just like music. 

the basso (to Arthur). You better look out, sonny, 
you don't catch cold after you're soaked ! You should 
run right home and change your clothes. (They go 
out.) 



ARTHUR SONTEN 25 

harlbar (coming in with Ella. They have their 
hats on). Drat that collar! It chokes my neck. (He 
pulls it off in a temper.) 

ella. Why, pa ! I wish you would leave it on. You 
look so bare without a collar. I don't see why you 
can't wear one like the other deacons do. Elder 
Cheevers wears a tie besides! 

harlbar. Well, I can't, that's all, and I won't ! (He 
goes out.) 

ella. Get your overcoat, Arthur. You'll need it to 
put on over your wet clothes. 

Arthur. Ma; shall I run home and change my 
clothes right afterwards? 

ella. Why, yes ; that would be a good idea ! You 
can put on your old suit then ! 

Arthur. And can I go to the woods with Bertie? 
All the nuts will be gone if we wait ! 

ella. I don't know what your father would say. 
He wouldn't like it. 

Arthur. I hate to stay in the house all alone. I've 
got to do something! No one ever goes any place 
with Bert! 

ella. Well, we'll see. But if you go, be sure to 
wear your old shoes. 

Arthur. All right, ma! 

ella (calling). Pa! Come on, we're late now! 
(Harlbar comes in). I do wish you had kept on that 
collar ! 

harlbar. O, shut up about my collar! You mar- 
ried me without one, and you'll bury me without one, 
I guess. 



26 ARTHUR SONTEN 

ella. I don't know about that! The undertaker 
puts 'em on all the corpses I ever saw. Hurry, Ar- 
thur! Don't forget to say, "I do," to all the Elder's 
questions. 

Arthur. I won't, ma. {They go out.) 

maggie {comes in, goes to the window and watches 
them walk down the street, then comes down and tid- 
ies up the room. Albert enters.) So you thought you 
would stay at home? You didn't want to see your 
brother baptized? Does your father know you've 
skipped ? 

albert. I'm going nutting with Art as soon as he 
gets through with that old Cheevers. 

maggie. This morning yet? You won't get back 
in time for dinner, and then your father will lick you. 
He doesn't like to have you late to meals — and you're 
always late. You eat oftener with me than you do with 
your own flesh and blood. You're a queer child, I 
must say! 

albert. Art is the only one in the family who 
treats me right. 

maggie. Ha, ha, ha ! Doesn't your father and your 
mother treat you right? — and Lola, too? — and me? 

albert. You treat me like a dog ! I'm going to dig 
out of this old hole for good. You'll never see me 
here again. You'll be sorry the way you treat me, 
some day. 

maggie. You make me laugh, the way you talk. 

albert. You better not laugh at me! It won't be 
good for you, if you do ! 

maggie. Why? What could you do? 

albert. I'd show you, that's what I would. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 27 

maggie. Pooh! You couldn't hurt a flea! Your 
bark is worse than your bite. 

albert. You shut up, will you ? I won't stand any 
abuse from you. (Takes out his pocket knife and 
opens blade.) 

maggie. Put up that knife or I'll tell your father 
on you ! He'll take you out to the barn and give you 
another hiding with that leather strap. 

albert. You better look out what you say! 

maggie. I'm not afraid of you! Everyone knows 
you're crazy. (Arthur enters.) 

albert. Am I? Take that! (He throws knife at 
her. She closes door quickly in front of her as she 
sees him throw back his arm, and the door stops the 
flight of the knife.) 

maggie. Ha, ha, ha! (She slams door.) 

Arthur (cries). Bert! What did you do that for? 

albert. She called me names! I won't stand it! 
She's got to let me alone ! 

Arthur. But you might have struck her! Then 
you would have been a murderer. 

albert. I wish I had hit her! I'll make her keep 
her mouth shut, if I swing for it ! 

Arthur (going to the door and calling). Maggie; 
come here! 

maggie (coming in). Why, are you back already? 
Did you see him? I'm going to quit to-morrow! He 
can't throw knives at me! Your clothes are wringing 
wet. You better change them at once or you'll catch 
cold! 



28 ARTHUR SONTEN 

Arthur. Yes, yes! I know all that! I want to 
tell you something. You've got to quit teasing Al- 
bert or I'll tell father. 

maggie. I wasn't teasing him ! He threw it at me 
for nothing. 

albert. She said I was — 

Arthur. Let me! (To Maggie.) You hear me! 
And I mean it. That's enough ! 

maggie. O, you think you're smart now since 
you've been baptized. Well, you don't look any big- 
ger to me now than you did before. You're more like 
a drowned rat than a Christian man — boy — I should 
say. If you had any more sense than he has, you 
would change your clothes instead of giving me or- 
ders. After to-morrow I'll be my own mistress — I'm 
not going away alone, either — but I dasent say anoth- 
er word! You'll find out soon enough. (She goes 
out.) 

albert. I'm glad she's quitting! She thinks she 
can run over me. Come on : I'm going. 

Arthur. I'll have to wear my new shoes ; these 
are full of water. 

albert. Wear your new ones ! Nobody will know. 
Hurry up! 

(Arthur goes out. Albert gets the sacks out of the 
closet, and as Ella comes in, he hides them in his coat.) 

ella. You ought to have been at church, Bertie. 
Arthur went through it gloriously. It made my heart 
rejoice to see another of my lambs enter the fold. O, 
if only you would not harden your heart to the Mas- 
ter's voice! Then my happiness would be complete. 
I would be assured of meeting you over there. One 
child missing would be a thorn forever. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 29 

albert. I guess every one is happy in heaven — no 
matter whether all their folks are there or not. You 
won't miss me. 

ella. How can you say that! I love all my chil- 
dren, and the thought that one of them has rejected 
the plan of salvation gives me inexpressible pain. If 
you want to make me happy, Bertie, give your heart 
to Christ. Now is the accepted hour. 

albert. You're all down on me, that's all. You 
haven't any use for me or you wouldn't take my things 
away from me. What's mine's mine, and you've no 
business to touch it. 

ella. I've put that horrid thing away in a secure 
place. When I think it is right to let you have it, I 
shall do so. None of your brothers ever carried such 
a thing, and I don't see why I should let you. 

albert. I want what's mine. (Arthur returns.) 

ella. So you've changed your clothes already! 
That's good ! I hope you haven't taken cold. I didn't 
like to leave the sermon — Elder Cheevers is always so 
instructive — but I wanted to make sure my boy was 
all right. How do you feel? Well? 

Arthur. Yes ; but I was scared until I stood in 
the water, — then I felt like laughing. It was just 
like going in swimming. It struck me as a big joke ! 

ella. That's queer, — but I suppose it was the re- 
action. It will take some time for you to readjust 
yourself to your new life. Everything has been in an 
upheaval in your mind, but I am satisfied you will set- 
tle down and become an earnest, conscientious Chris- 
tian, and an honor to us and our church. 

albert (beckoning to Arthur). Come on! 



30 ARTHUR SONTEN 

ella. Where are you going, Albert? 

albert. O, no place! 

ella (to Arthur). You are not going to the woods 
before dinner, are you ? 

Arthur. The Polanders will steal all the nuts if we 
wait. 

ella. But you have on your new shoes, — you'll 
spoil them ! 

Arthur. I'll be careful, ma. 

ella. Yes, do, and be sure to get back in time. You 
know Bertie is always late. 

Arthur. We won't be gone long, will we, Bert? 

albert. O, shut up and come on, if you're going. 
(He goes out, — Arthur follows him.) 

ella (calls). Maggie! 

maggie (comes in). Did you call, Mrs. Sonten? 

ella. How is the chicken coming on ? Is it baking 
all right? 

maggie. Yes, ma'am. It is a little tough, but it 
will be tender by dinner time, I guess. 

ella. Have you enough potatoes in the oven? 

maggie. I put in a dozen. 

ella. Have you made the beds ? 

maggie. All except Lola's. You told me to let 
her do her own room. 

ella. But she never does. Perhaps you better look 
after it this morning. We may have visitors this 
afternoon, and I shouldn't like them to see her room 
in disorder. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 31 

maggie. I will, if I have time; but I've got all I 
can do to look after the dinner, if you don't want ev- 
erything burned up. 

ella. If that's the way you feel about it, never 
mind. I'll speak to her when she comes back. (Mag- 
gie flounces out and Lolita comes in.) Why, Lola! 
Didn't you stay for service ? Don't they need you ? 

lolita. We finished our music, and the rest is con- 
gregational singing. I hate to sit up there and have 
everybody stare at me all through the sermon. Where's 
Arthur? He wasn't scared at all! I saw him smile 
just before Cheevers soused him. 

ella. Lola ! Such language ! It isn't respectful ! 

lolita. It is a shame to have him baptized so 
young! He's almost a baby. The water came clear 
up to his neck. The Elder had to lift him up and dip 
him down in order to make it look like a baptism at all. 

ella. Yes, Arthur i s young. Father and I talked 
it over earnestly before we decided to let him be im- 
mersed. The Elder questioned him and found that 
Artie understood the plan of salvation better than 
many of his elders. That settled it. I wish you 
wouldn't say anything to him to wound his suscepti- 
bilities on the score of his youth. You are quite pro- 
voking at times. You stir up Bertie, too, by your ever- 
lastingly poking fun at him. He will retort in a way 
that will leave its mark on you. He has enough taunts 
to stand outside the home without your spoiling his 
natural retreat. You will drive him frantic, if you 
keep on. 

lolita. Why, ma! I haven't said a word to Bert 
to-day! I know he's touchy, and I leave him alone. 
It's you and father and Cheevers who keep him hot. 



32 ARTHUR SONTEN 

He can't answer you, and yet you're always question- 
ing him! 

ella. What we say to him is for his own good. 

lolita. You think it is, but it isn't. 

ella. Do you mean that we should let him do as he 
pleases — keep the house in disorder by his tardy ris- 
ing, his lateness to meals, and his staying out nights? 
While I have a voice in this house, I'll not tolerate 
such conduct on his part — or on yours. 

lolita. If you're going to scold all morning, I'll go 
back to church again ! 

ella. No, you'll not! Go right up to your room 
and tidy it up. Maggie has enough on her hands with 
the dinner. It isn't right to make her work all day 
Sunday. She wants an hour of her own, and she's 
entitled to it, too. 

lolita. I wish I had stayed at church ! It was bet- 
ter there freezing, than to get warm here and have to 
listen to your scolding! 

ella. Scolding! Scolding! You call everything I 
say scolding! 

lolita. What else is it ? You never let me do what 
I want to. You know I want to go away and study 
music, — I've learned all they can teach me in this town. 

ella. Your father can't afford to send you away. 

lolita. That's what he says, but I know it isn't 
so. Doesn't he give four hundred dollars a year to 
the church? That would more than pay my way 
through the best conservatory in the west. 

ella. He gives a tenth of his income to the Lord. 
That is the Lord's dues. You are not wicked enough 
to suggest that he rob God to pay for your schooling? 



ARTHUR SONTEN 33 

lolita. That's his way of putting it, but Cheevers 
is his God. I guess I'm as good as Cheevers ; besides, 
I'm his daughter, and Cheevers is only a tramp 
preacher. 

ella. Lola ! I'll not permit you to speak so irrev- 
erently of the Elder. He is poor because poverty is 
the lot of those who accept a call to preach Christ and 
Him crucified. What we give him, he does not beg for, 
and if we didn't board and lodge him free, others 
would. 

lolita. Oh, I know I'm no match for you ! But if 
there is a bigger hypocrite in the world than Cheevers, 
I should like to see him. He's got you and pa blinded 
to his faults. Everyone else sees through him. He's 
a dead-beat, — that's what they all say ! 

ella. Lola ! Don't you dare say such a thing of a 
servant of the Lord ! Go to your room ! 

lolita. I won't! 

ella (slaps her). Go, I say! I'll teach you to defy 
me! 

lolita (bawls). You're a mean old brute, so you 
are, and I hate you! 

ella. Silence or I'll — (Starts after her. Lolita 
flies out and up the stairs, slamming the door after 
her. Her cries are heard for several minutes. Ella 
goes to kitchen and Cheevers comes in. He hears Lo- 
lita and smiles. He doffs his coat, hat and gloves, 
lights a cigar, and takes up the Sunday paper.) 

ella (returning). You here, Elder? Is service 
over? Aren't you remaining at Sunday school? Why, 
dinner is not half cooked yet! I just told Maggie to 
stir up the fire a bit. I hope the chicken will get ten- 



34 ARTHUR SONTEN 

der. I want this dinner to suit you so much! (Goes 
to door and calls.) Lola! Elder Cheevers is here! 
(The sobs grow subdued.) My, what a trial that child 
is! The services were very impressive this morning. 
I enjoyed your immersions so much ; that makes twen- 
ty-six you've baptized this fall. That's more than any 
other pastor did all winter. We needed somebody like 
you to stir up interest. You feed our souls so beauti- 
fully. 

cheevers. Thank you, Sister! One of the conso- 
lations of my severe and exhausting work in the min- 
istry is the fact that I meet with a few such noble 
persons as your husband and yourself, who appreciate 
my toil. The pity of it is that your kind is only too 
scarce. 

ella. We regard you, Elder, almost as a member 
of our family ; — which, in fact, you have become since 
the sad bereavement you have suffered through the 
loss of your helpmate. My heart bleeds for you, for 
I realize how lonely it is for you in the midst of 
strangers. 

cheevers. You have done what you could to re- 
lieve my loneliness, Sister. 

ella. That is true; but not all that I should like 
to. Elder. You must look for another companion as 
soon as your period of mourning expires. The scrip- 
ture says, "It is not well for man to live alone." That 
applies particularly to a pastor of the church who is 
subject to so many temptations. 

cheevers. I realize the truth of your words, Sister, 
and I have made up my mind to resign from the min- 
istry ! 

ella. What! You don't — 



ARTHUR SONTEN 35 

cheevers. Just a moment ! You know, Sister, some- 
what of my circumstances, — how I have allowed my- 
self to sink into debt — not through extravagance, but 
through mismanagement. It is a painful subject, — I 
dislike to mention it, — I should like to justify myself 
to you, if to no one else. Your husband has advanced 
me quite a sum. I don't see how I can repay him. I 
have lost my all, — an unlucky speculation! A good 
friend betrayed my confidence. I should not have 
trusted him, — the same old story over again! I shall 
leave my sermons here, so you can partly reimburse 
yourselves by their sale. 

ella. But he told me nothing of all this ! 

cheevers. Indeed? I had supposed — I see I have 
— Please say nothing to him about it ! 

ella. He nearly always tells me everything. There 
must have been an especial reason for concealment in 
this case. My ! I don't know when I have been so stir- 
red up as I am over all this news. I must tell Maggie 
right away! 

cheevers. This will be my last chance to make a 
clean breast of it all ! Maggie knows already. 

ella (wavering). Well, goon! But — 

cheevers. It cuts me to the heart to cause such a 
loss to so good a soul as your husband. He lives his 
religion ! I wish there were more like him in the 
world! The majority of people let the influences of 
the outside world guide their conduct. Greed, not sac- 
rifice, is their ruling passion. They are the ones who 
will force me out, unless I forestall them by resigning 
immediately. An insolvent preacher, to the commer- 
cial-minded, is worse than an infidel. 



36 ARTHUR SONTEN 

ella. Of course, you know best what to do. You 
have wrestled with the Lord in prayer over the decis- 
ion, no doubt ? 

cheevers. It is a rule of the ministry that he who 
cannot pay his debts must go. 

ella. We will not press your debt to us. I'm sure, 
Mr. Sonten never — 

cheevers. If you were the only ones ! It is worse 
than you think. I went security for my younger 
brother, and he let me hold the bag. The sum runs 
up into the thousands. 

ella. Do tell ! 

cheevers. Yes, it's a bad mess. My oldest brother 
wants me to join him in his business. He is doing well 
in the west. I have written him I shall leave here at 
once. I don't like his business, — patent medicines, you 
know, but it is the only chance I have. ''Beggars can't 
be choosers." 

ella. Dr. McQuill got rich out of patent medi- 
cines. He owns a house on the East Shore Drive, and 
cuts quite a swath in society. Maybe you'll be a mil- 
lionaire yet ; who knows ! 

cheevers. I don't anticipate that. My brother is 
pretty shrewd, and if there are any millions in sight, 
he will keep them for himself. But I do look for- 
ward to the time when I can earn my own living, pay 
my debts, and face the world. 

ella. It's too bad there isn't more money in preach- 
ing the word of God ! 

cheevers. Clergymen are the third sex, — they can- 
not earn like men or cajole like women. I trust to 
your discretion not to repeat my words where they 



ARTHUR SONTEN 37 

will be misunderstood. But you have been long enough 
in the church to know that I have occupied an anoma- 
lous position in this community. I had to toady to 
the pillars who hated me for my liberal views, yet I 
dared not say half my mind. I must needs choke down 
the least whisper of doubt the moment it rose to my 
lips. I confess the yoke began to gall me years ago. I 
throw it off now with a sense of relief rather than re- 
gret. 

ella. All this is a shock to me ! I'll never let Ar- 
thur be a preacher, that's settled. But I must tell Mag- 
gie! 

cheevers. I've told her already. I had to take 
someone into my confidence! 

ella. You told her, and not me ! O, Elder ! How 
could you? (She goes out.) 

harlbar (coming in). Well, it's over, thank God! 

cheevers. What's over, Deacon? 

harlbar. The lesson. It was the bitterest experi- 
ence of my life. Your words kept creeping up to my 
lips ready to jump out every moment. I wanted to 
shout aloud, "Stop quibbling over texts and look into 
meanings." I wanted to ask, "What is truth?" and to 
reply, "Seek beyond the printed word." Yet I follow- 
ed the cold formalism of the Quarterly exegesis and 
gave them a stone when I might have given them a 
loaf. Pastor Cheevers, you have taken the heart out 
of my religion ! 

cheevers. Why, Deacon! I didn't intend — 

harlbar (raising his hand). I've known for a long 
time that the historicity of Christ was questioned 
among biblical authorities who are well thought of by 



38 ARTHUR SONTEN 

our leaders, — but I let that knowledge die away. I did 
not make it a part of me and my instruction. You 
simply awakened it again within my subconscious self. 

cheevers. An awakening is sometimes more pain- 
ful than a discovery. I'm sorry, Deacon, to have 
caused you discomfort. 

harlbar. You need not be. I see now why you 
are resolved to quit the pulpit. It is not all financial 
matters with you; those could be arranged; but you 
want to breathe freer air, where you can speak your 
real thoughts, where you are not constrained by the 
narrow limitations of our dogmatic creed. I don't 
blame you, Elder. I love you all the more for your 
honesty and your courage. 

cheevers. Those words sound sweet to my ears, 
Deacon. I have not had them applied to my conduct 
in years. I appreciate them more than I do your other 
kindnesses, your financial helpings. This day is a red 
letter day in both our lives. We will look back to Ar- 
thur's baptismal as a crisis marking a new epoch. 

harlbar. That we will, Elder. I announced my 
resignation as leader. My class members would not 
accept it, but I insisted. My reason I gave as needing 
the time given to teaching for further study. 

cheevers. You resigned ! What will your wife 
say? — and the children? You shouldn't have done so, 
— not at the present time. 

harlbar. People are not accustomed to question 
my acts. But, Elder, I wish to caution you against 
repeating any of those heresies before her. She leans 
strongly on the written word. It is her staff. She has 
no other support. To weaken that would kill her. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 39 

cheevers. Not a syllable! If she is happy in her 
belief, we shall leave her alone. But let us arrange 
about my note. I can offer no security — 

harlbar. Not here, — in my study ! 

cheevers. As you please. {They go out. Arthur 
and Albert come in, breathing hard from running. Ar- 
thur is in his bare feet.) 

ella {following them). Arthur Sonten! Where in 
the world are your shoes ? What do you mean by com- 
ing home barefooted ? You'll catch your death of cold. 
Go put your old ones on at once ! 

Arthur. Two men stole my shoes ! They had a 
gun and ordered us to drop our things and skip. We 
ran like lightning and hid. When we went back, my 
shoes were gone ! And so were my stockings ! 

albert. And so were my walnuts ! 

ella. Dear, dear! Put on your old ones, quick! 
Perhaps your father won't notice them to-day. But 
he'll be so angry when he finds out. {Arthur goes 
out.) This all comes from your persuading Arthur to 
break the holy Sabbath day ! I shouldn't have let him 
go with you ! I might have known — ■ 

albert. We had lots of fun! I nearly killed a 
squirrel with my sling-shot. I hit him, and knocked off 
his tail! 

ella. But why did Arthur take off his shoes ? 

albert. They hurt his feet. We had to cross a 
creek, too. I walked over on a log — he waded. 

ella. You've spoiled your clothes climbing trees ! 

albert. I only climbed three. 



40 ARTHUR SONTEN 

ella. And when I told you not to climb one ! You 
might have fallen and broken a limb. This is a les- 
son to me. I'll never let Arthur go with you again. 

albert. He's the only one I can get to go with me. 
The other boys all make fun of me. 

ella. That's because you answer them back. You 
should pay no attention to them. 

albert. Do you like to be called names without 
saying nothing? 

ella. I don't like it, but I'd rather b e called than 
call. 

albert. They've got to shut their mouths. I'm a- 
going to fix them one of these days ; you see if I don't. 

Arthur (returns). Is dinner ready? I'm hungry! 

albert. So am I! 

ella. It'll be ready in a minute. Arthur, perhaps 
you better tell your father now, or he'll blame me for 
hiding it from him. 

Arthur. He'll lick me, if I do ! 

ella. No, he won't, if you make a full breast of 
it. You weren't altogether to blame. You didn't lose 
your shoes; they were stolen from you. (Calls) 
Father ! 

harlbar (entering from his study). Well? 

ella. Arthur wants to tell you something. 

Arthur. We went to the woods and two men stole 
my new shoes. 

harlbar. The woods ! On Sunday ! And you lost 
your shoes ? Haven't I told you not to go to the woods 
on Sunday? (Shakes him.) What do you mean by 
disobeying me? Do you think I can buy you shoes 



ARTHUR SONTEN 41 

every day? I'll show you! {He shakes him hard and 
strikes him.) You young whelp! 

ella. Father ! He wasn't to blame. I — 

harlbar. Don't tell me! He was to blame, too! 
I'll teach you to disobey me! {He shakes him vio- 
lently. ) 

Arthur. Leave me alone! {Breaks away, crying 
mad. The quarrel brings in Lolita and Maggie. 
Cheevers looks in and then softly closes the door be- 
hind him.) 

lolita. Oh, pa, don't! {She sobs. Maggie goes 
out, but looks through the door.) 

Arthur. Stop ! I wasn't to blame ! Don't you 
strike me again ! You're a big bully, that's what you 
are! 

albert. Cut his goddam head off! 

ella. Albert! Leave the room! {Albert sulks 
out.) 

Arthur. He is, just the same! {Ella gets in be- 
tween Arthur and Harlbar, who tries to reach him.) 
Come on, you big bully ! I can lick you, if I hain't as 
big as you are ! 

harlbar. You can, can you? {He dives for him. 
Arthur slips by and runs out the door, past Maggie. 
Harlbar flings the door after him in time to catch Ar- 
thur's foot and throws him on the floor with a great 
crash of dishes.) 

ella. My dishes! You've broken all my dishes! 
{Turns to Harlbar.) You are a nice Christian, aren't 
you ? To fight with a boy ! Look what you've done ! 
{Holds door open.) Everything smashed! The din- 
ner ruined ! You can't control your temper. Why do 



42 ARTHUR SONTEN 

you want to whip your children ? Elder Cheevers will 
think well of you, won't he? A fine example you've 
shown yourself ! 

harlbar. Oh, shut up! Or I'll give you one, too! 

ella. No, you won't ! You coward ! Lola ! Help 
Maggie with the table. (Lolita starts out.) Go and 
tell Arthur to come in to dinner. Tell him not to mind. 
His father won't dare touch him again, — not when I'm 
around. (Pushes her out.) You walk around the 
block and cool off. I'll apologize to the Elder for you. 
I know he heard every word ! I'd be ashamed to dis- 
grace myself before an Elder of the church, if I had 
any shame left. (She forces him out. Cheevers 
comes in. In a soft tone.) O, Elder! We had a lit- 
tle accident! Dinner is not quite ready yet! I'm so 
flustered! You won't care if you have to wait a bit, 
will you? 

cheevers. Do you want me to say grace to-day, 
Sister? 

ella (ivith surprise). Of course! Why not? It's 
your last time, isn't it? 

cheevers. Yes; it's my last time, thank God! 

CURTAIN. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 
ACT II. 

Horseshoers' Hall is an ill-looking room, cheaply 
furnished. In the front is a platform and table pre- 
sided over by the chairman. Below that is another 
table for counsel; to one side a chair for the accused. 
Back are chairs with an aisle between. On the right 
is a door to refreshment room and in the rear a door. 
The hall is poorly lit. An old stove with pipe running 
across the entire ceiling furnishes heat and smoke. It 
is early. Only a few stragglers occupy seats in the 
rear. 

sam sawers (enters. He has an evil-looking pipe 
in his mouth). Hello, comrades! Well, we're going 
to settle Sonten's hash to-night. We've got the votes 
to do it with, too. The boys from the West End will 
be out in force. All the Jews will be down, and the 
Belgians, too. 

bort (an old mechanic). But they've got no vote in 
this affair. 

sawers. They haven't? I guess they're members 
of the party all right, and this trial concerns every 
member of it. Sonten has been the whole thing around 
here too long. He is a bourgeois, not a proletarian. He 



44 ARTHUR SONTEN 

thinks because he has money he can order me around 
and insult a working man. I've got him now dead 
to rights. Cheevers will make him sweat blood, or m\ 
name's not Sam Sawers. 

bort. I don't know about that. Sonten is pretty 
sharp and he'll make Cheevers go some. He'll give 
you a stiff fight ! 

sawers. You watch my smoke ! I'll make him 
bump the bumps right. Did you hear what he said 
when he beat me for delegate to the convention? 
"You're too new, Sawers," says he, "you'll have to 
wait until the boys get better acquainted with you." I 
guess he'll find out who's better acquainted, he or I. 
He thinks he can use his cheap sarcasm on me and get 
away with it. He'll find out ! It's time my boys were 
here. I wonder what's keeping them? 

bort (growlingly) . You never can bank on Jews. 
They'll promise you anything, but when it comes to a 
fight, they fade away. 

sawers. I've got more'n Jews. But you're with 
us, aren't you, Jim ? 

bort. I'm not declaring myself ! Of course, if Son- 
ten has been guilty of conduct unbecoming a member 
and you prove it, I'll vote against him. I'll hear the 
evidence. 

sawers. We'll satisfy you all right. He's slandered 
our leaders, — lied about them — that's enough to cause 
his expulsion. We sent Fenton to Sonten and, like the 
fool he is, Sonten blabbed everything. Turned himself 
inside out. We've got Fenton's affidavit, too. It's a 
corker. It'll knock the wind out of Sonten's bag, or 
my name's not — 



ARTHUR SONTEN 45 

bort. Sonten has always treated me right. He done 
me some favors he didn't have to. 

sawers. Did they cost him anything? If you work- 
ed for for him, didn't you earn all he paid you ? Is he 
any different from other capitalists who exploit labor? 

bort. He paid me the union scale and didn't chew 
the rag any. 

sawers. Why should he? Your bill was correct, 
wasn't it ? Besides, what has that to do with his con- 
duct in the party? I'm going to show the people of 
this town that he's trying to disrupt our party and 
make himself boss. You'll see, and mighty quick, too. 
Here come my boys, now! {Several men and boys of 
foreign appearance come in.) Hello, comrades! Sit 
right over here. Are the rest coming? {One of them 
shakes his head.) Well, there'll be enough without 
them. {He goes to door and calls.) Come in, com- 
rades ! Right this way ! 

molly jinks {a pert young woman, enters). Now, 
look here, Sam Sawers! We hain't through serving 
our supper yet, and don't want you to go and hurry 'em 
up so they won't buy any more sandwiches. We 
haven't taken in enough yet to pay expenses, and don't 
you bust our treasury just because you're so anxious 
to fire the best man the party's got. {Points to stove.) 
You'll burn your fingers if you don't watch out. 

sawers {fusses with the stove door). Whoop! 
That's hot ! 

molly. There, what did I tell you! You might 
have knowed it ! Any one want any more sandwiches ? 
If they do, come out to my table. 

sawers {surlily). We've all had our lunch! Tell 
'em to hurry and get through. It's almost time to be- 
gin. Is Cheevers eating yet? 



46 ARTHUR SONTEN 

molly. I should say he was! He eats like he was 
invited instead of having to pay. 

sawers. If he doesn't offer the price, don't dun 
him. The organization will settle his bill. 

molly. The organization will do no such thing! 
Who eats, pays at my table ! I'm not caring who they 
be, either. P'rhaps you want to pay for him out of 
your own pocket, seein's it is you who's responsible 
for his being here more'n any man I know! (Sawers 
backs up.) No? That's what I thought! It's mighty 
easy for some folks to stir up trouble, as long as it 
don't cost them nothing ! (She goes out.) 

sawers. She's too fresh ! She's another of the 
Sonten gang! Bourgeois, all bourgeois! 

jinks (coming in. He is a middle-aged man whose 
youthful appearance belies his years). Ha, ha, ha! 
Hello, Sawers ! Time to begin ? Where's all the boys ? 

sawers. They'll be here soon. Here come some of 
them now. (Several stragglers slouch into seats, 
among them Albert Sonten.) 

sawers. Hello, Comrades! Sit on this side! (He 
gets them on the right side.) Hello, Albert! You're 
with us, aren't you ? 

albert (rising). You told me to come and vote the 
way you said, and you'd give me a dime ! 

sawfrs. Sh ! Don't let them hear you ! They'll 
throw you out ! 

albert. I want that dime ! I got to get some leath- 
ers! its 

sawers. You just hold your tongue — keep your face 
closed — and you'll get it all right. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 47 

albert. I hain't going to hang around this old hole 
all night for a dime. I want — 

sawers. Now, look here! If you don't stop that 
noise I'll throw you out. You sit down! (Shoves him 
into his seat.) Now, when you see me raise my hand, 
you raise yours ; d'ye understand ? 

albert. Yes ; but I want — 

sawers. I told you. Now keep quiet! (Sawers 
leaves him and approaches Jinks.) Do you appear for 
Sonten ? 

jinks. You know I do! 

sawers. You're going to get licked. We've got the 
votes to do it with, too. 

jinks. Perhaps you have, but we'll see. 

sawers. If we get licked, it will be a bad day for 
the party. It's just such fellows as Sonten who keep 
the movement from growing. 

jinks. Nonsense! You don't like him, that's all 
that's ails you. 

sawers. He thinks because he's an educated man 
he can treat the rest of us like dogs. Well, some of 
us have a little education, too ; enough to show him up, 
he'll find. 

jinks. What's he ever done to you to get you sore? 

sawers. He called me a spy! 

jinks. What? Sonten? 

sawers. He might as well ! You heard that report 
about me. Of course, he set it going. He's against 
me because I won't stand for his running things in his 
high-handed way. He was the whole cheese until I 
joined. I was the only one who had the nerve to fight 
him. 



48 ARTHUR SONTEN 

jinks. I don't blame you for fighting him if he 
fought you. But it should not be made a personal mat- 
ter. Ah, here he comes now ; and his wife, too. I 
wonder why she — (Hurrying over to shake hands 
with Arthur and his wife, Eltine.) Good evening, 
comrade ! How do you do, Mrs. Sonten ! Glad to see 
you ! It's going to be a hot fight. Ha, ha, ha ! 

eltine (a petitie woman who has risen from the 
ranks). So I hear! I would be a good joke if Arthur 
got beat. 

Arthur (smilingly). Not much danger, is there, 
Comrade Jinks? 

jinks. No, I don't think so. But you can never 
tell! Ha, ha, ha! (Sonten and his zvife sit down and 
Jinks bustles forward to the table. A crozvd follozvs 
Sonten and comfortably fills the hall.) 

pelt (taking chair and rapping for order). Com- 
rades, whom will you have for chairman? 

jinks (rising). I nominate Comrade Pelt. 

sawers. I second the nomination. 

pelt. All in favor of Comrade Pelt acting as Chair- 
man say Aye. (Cries of "Aye.") Contrary No. (A 
few "Noes.") The Ayes have it. Our regular secre- 
tary will report the minutes. (He seats himself at 
desk.) What is your pleasure? 

sawers. Comrade Chairman! I move that Com- 
rade Cheevers be informed we are in session. 

pelt. This is a special session, called to hear the 
charges against Comrade Sonten. I suppose it'll be 
all right to hear what Comrade Cheevers has to say 
first, then listen to Comrade Sonten. If there is no ob- 
jection, we will call Comrade Cheevers. Comrade 



ARTHUR SONTEN 49 

Jinks! (Tom rises.) I mean Mrs. Comrade Jinks. 
(She rises.) Take the message to Comrade Cheevers. 

molly (goes to door and cries). Comrade Cheev- 
ers ! They're ready now ! (He appears, after a pause. 
He has become portly and his hair has whitened con- 
siderably.) 

pelt. Comrade Cheevers ! You are here on behalf 
of the National Committee to appear against Comrade 
Sonten. 

jinks. Note my appearance for Comrade Sonten. 

pelt. Very well ! I don't see that there is any use 
of my saying anything more. It's up to you two. Fire 
away! 

cheevers. The chairman misspoke himself when 
he said the National Committee, — he meant the State — 

jinks. I move he present the evidence — and not 
make a speech. 

pelt. The evidence is called for, Comrade Cheev- 
ers. 

cheevers (irritably). Very well! You all know 
what the evidence is; it's the affidavit of Comrade 
Fenton. I'll not take the trouble to read it, as you've 
all heard it before ! 

jinks. There are several new comrades here to- 
night who were not at our last meeting. They want 
to hear the affidavit. 

cheevers. Very well, I'll read it. "I, Horatio Fen- 
ton, being sworn, say: I called on Comrade Arthur 
Sonten after the late convention, and he talked freely 
about it to me. He said that Comrade Cheevers was 
using his official position to preach religion under the 
name of Socialism and charging for his sermons. That 



50 ARTHUR SONTEN 

he used the name of Jesus Christ oftener than he did 
that of Karl Marx, and that he (Sonten) would like 
to drive every one professing Christianity out of the 
party. He further said that two of the leading organ- 
izers of the state are guilty of immorality and graft- 
ing. Horatio Fenton. 

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 12th day of 
November, 1905. 

Maude Freyerton, 
Notary Public." 

Now, Comrade Chairman and Comrades, I submit 
that I appear here against Comrade Sonten unwilling- 
ly on account of my personal relations with him and 
his family some years ago, when I was in the ministry. 
I officiated at his baptismal, and though both of us 
have since left the church, I feel that the associations 
of those early days are sacred to me. His father help- 
ed me when I needed help, — no better man ever cross- 
ed my path. But time brings its changes, and here am 
I, sent by the State Secretary to press these charges. 
The affidavit speaks for itself. Any member of the 
party making such statements about those who are de- 
voting their lives to the cause, belongs on the outside 
of the party. He is a disorganizer, no matter how 
brilliant he may be. The sooner we cut him out, the 
better it will be for the cause. 

jinks. I object to his making a speech until we 
hear the evidence. 

pelt. I sustain the objection. 

cheevers. I appeal from the decision of the chair. 

pelt. An appeal is taken from the chair. All in 
favor of the chair, vote by the usual sign. {Twelve 
hands held up.) Against! (Tzvelve hands held up.) 
It seems to be a tie ! 



ARTHUR SONTEN 51 

sawers {low, to Albert). Hold up your hand, you 
chump ! 

albert. I want my — 

sawers {reaching in his pocket). Here it is! 
{Aloud.) Comrade Chairman, we win by one vote. 

pelt. Comrade Sawers is right: the appeal is sus- 
tained. 

jinks. I challenge the vote of Albert Sonten. I 
saw him raise his hand ! 

pelt. Did you vote, Albert? You know you are 
not a member ! 

albert {rising and putting on his hat). I don't 
know nothing about it! I'm going to get out of this 
old hole! You've all got it in for me, anyhow! {He 
goes out.) 

cheevers. To avoid any question on the count, I'll 
defer my remarks until the case is closed. 

pelt. Very well ! Go ahead with the evidence. 

jinks. Comrade Sonten! Take the stand! {Ar- 
thur goes forward and sits.) Now, Comrade Sonten, 
explain your position. 

Arthur. Comrade Chairman and Comrades ! When 
Fenton called upon me, I didn't ask for his card. I 
knew he had been a member at one time and consid- 
ered him one yet. Afterwards I was informed by the 
secretary of the Podunk local that Fenton had beew 
dropped from its rolls for non-payment of dues. As 
he is not a Comrade, I do not think his affidavit should 
be admitted here against me. The word of an outsider 
should not overbalance that of an insider ! 

bort. That's right, too ! Sonten's O. K. ! 



52 ARTHUR SONTEN 

molly. I think it's a shame to read such a lie 
against Comrade Sonten. 

pelt. Order ! Order ! 

jinks. I make a point of order! I move the affi- 
davit be thrown out ! 

voices. Throw it out ! 

other voices. No, no ! 

pelt. A point of order is made that the affidavit be 
thrown out. 

cheevers. That point is not well taken. 

sawers. Of course, it's not ! 

Arthur (rising). I should like to say a word be- 
fore the chair rules. You have all heard me talk be- 
fore. You know I am free to speak my mind, and 
while there are things in that affidavit I don't admit, 
there are other things I do. I was baptized by Com- 
rade Cheevers when I was too young to understand 
religion. When I did come to understand that reli- 
gion is simply a device by which the working class is 
kept in ignorance, I resigned from the church. I found 
others doing the same, among them Comrade Cheev- 
ers, who is on our salary list. You have all heard him 
lecture. He neglects the class struggle entirely and 
appeals entirely to bourgeois sympathy. He is after 
votes rather than revolution. Such men are the disor- 
ganizes. They would betray the workers to their 
enemies and make terms with the capitalists. I prefer 
an out-and-out capitalist to one of them every time. 
Fenton was sent to spy upon my words. That was not 
comradely at all. Whoever sent him must have paid 
him well for his dirty work out of the party treasury ; 
you know the kind too well to think they would do it 
out of their own pockets. If you listen to Fenton and 



ARTHUR SONTEN 53 

his gang, you are not the men I take you to be. I am 
ready for the decision of the question by the chair. 
(He sits.) 

pelt. I throw the affidavit out ! 

Arthur. Good! (Shakes Pelt's hand.) 

sawers. Rotten! That decision is rotten! I'll get 
you! (Forces his way forward, gesticulating wildly.) 

bort. Shut up ! You're a damned Pinkerton ! 

sawers. You're a liar! (He strikes Bort.) 

bort. Take that! (Knocks Sawers down. A gen- 
eral melee takes place.) 

Arthur. Boys, boys! Let him alone! (He parts 
Bort and Sawers.) Now, get out! 

sawers. I'll get you yet ! This isn't the last of me ! 
Come on, boys ! We'll wind his clock next time ! (He 
goes out, followed by his gang.) 

Arthur. Quite a row ! I didn't know I was such 
a game bird to pluck ! 

pelt. Sawers is a bad tggl We'll have to get rid 
of him or he'll break up the party. 

Arthur. Let me condole with you, Comrade 
Cheevers, on the outcome of your gallant fight. It's 
hard work dislodging a man from the house he helped 
build. 

cheevers. I'm sorry it ended in a fight. 

bort. You might have known it would ! Sonten is 
too good a man for us to expel on request of such 
snakes as Fenton! Why, he took a couple of drinks 
with Sonten, too ! 

pelt. I didn't give 'em a chance to vote on the 
question. That's what makes 'em so sore. 

cheevers. You made a mistake there. 



54 ARTHUR SONTEN 

pelt. I don't think so. Sawers brought along his 
gang to vote with him, whether they understood the 
case or not. Four of his Belgians haven't been in this 
country a month ! They don't know one word of Eng- 
lish ! What right have they to vote ? 

Arthur. Well, it's over, anyhow ; and we won. 

eltine. I'm glad of it! It was quite an exciting 
fight! 

molly. I felt like punching Sam Sawers' head my- 
self. He's a regular detective, I bet! 

Arthur. It's a wonder he didn't call the police! 
We should have looked pretty riding in the patrol. 

cheevers. There will never be harmony in the 
state until this question is settled. 

Arthur. I'll settle it right now! (He sits down 
and zvrites.) Here is my resignation from the party. 
I thought of leaving it before, but I wouldn't quit un- 
der fire. 

molly. I don't blame you ; the way you've been 
treated ! 

eltine (to Arthur). I'm so glad! I always told 
you you would get tired of mixing with such riff-raff. 
Look at Sawers! And at Molly Jinks! Why, her 
clothes are a fright. And such a hat ! She must have 
got those trimmings out of a garbage barrel ! 

cheevers. Your resignation at this time is a victory 
for us. You admit the charges against you by that act. 

Arthur. Get what comfort you can out of it, but I 
am through with politics for good. This occasion en- 
ables me to sever my connection with good heart. 

eltine (to Arthur). Look at this dirty old hall! 
The carpet fairly reeks with filth, the windows are 
inky black, the lamps smell, the stove smokes, the spit- 



ARTHUR SONTEN 55 

toons stink, and the closet — ugh ! At last you've open- 
ed your eyes. You can see I was right, can't you ? 

cheevers. I hope you haven't any hard feelings 
towards me, Mrs. Sonten ? 

eltine. O, no ! You were against Arthur, though. 

cheevers. It was my duty to present the case 
against him. 

eltine. You took a good deal of pleasure in per- 
forming your duty! 

cheevers. It's over now, and I trust we can drop 
all animosities. 

Arthur. I doubt it ! I am not content to keep my 
mouth shut on the subject of religion any more than 
you are, — only I'm against and you for. 

cheevers. You know the rule of the party, — 
S i 1 e n t i a ! Let everyone think what he chooses ! 

Arthur. Yet you drag religion into every one of 
your speeches. 

cheevers. What interest have I in religion? I'm 
not a church member? 

Arthur. All the bigots are not professors. 

eltine. Don't get started arguing on religion ! 
You'll get into another fight! 

molly (to Tom). Come on! Help me clean up my 
table. (Tom, Molly, Pelt and Bort go out.) 

Arthur. I want just a word with you, Cheevers, 
before I go. You welcomed me into the party ; I sup- 
ported you as long as I needed a leader. I read Marx 
and Dietzgen diligently. Gradually I learned that in 
them, too, hypocrisy had an abiding place. They rea- 
soned selfishly — not purely. 

cheevers. Will you let me say a word or two ! 



56 ARTHUR SONTEN 

Arthur. When I am done! The scales fell from 
my eyes. Sawers is but a type of them all. He is be- 
hind with his accounts with the local, and hates me 
for reporting him. He is not actuated by comrade- 
ship, the love of the working-class, hope of the golden 
age or of the brotherhood of man. He wants to gain 
control for his own selfish purposes, and when he saw 
me stand in his way, he tried to have me removed. He 
pretends to be influenced by the highest motives, when, 
in fact, he hates everyone who opposes his schemes. 

cheevers. Are you done ? 

Arthur. Yes ; I'm ready to listen to you now. Go 
ahead ! 

cheevers. You are not in the right frame of mind 
to hear me. All that you have said flows from your 
personal feelings. Some of it is true, but all is much 
exaggerated. There is some good in politics, and you 
know it. 

Arthur. There is some good in everything — there 
is more good in literature than in politics. 

eltine. Politics is a business for which Arthur is 
not fitted. The last campaign nearly killed him. He 
takes everything too much to heart. 

cheevers. His writings helped the cause. I don't 
know what we should have done without his pen. 

Arthur. Leaving the party may be the death of 
my muse, or it may, on the contrary, infuse new blood 
into her veins. So far I have nothing to regret; I 
cherish no ill feelings to anyone — certainly not to you. 
I'll leave this room never to enter it again, with charity 
toward all, malice toward none. 

eltine. And I'll leave it with a raging headache, 
I'm afraid. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 57 

cheevers. Too bad we've kept you so long. 

eltine. Oh, you Socialists would talk to doom's- 
day to save the proletariat from exploiters, but you 
wouldn't lower a window and let in some fresh air to 
save your wives from megrims. 

Arthur (lowers window). Why didn't you speak 
before ? 

cheevers. You're pretty hard on us, Mrs. Sonten. 
I'm afraid you have had more to do with Comrade 
Sonten's resignation than he would like to admit. 
Well, good night — and may God give you to see the 
light ! 

eltine (to Arthur). And may God inspire some- 
one to clean the light, so that we can see it ! 

Arthur (to Eltine). Let Cheevers do it: he's God's 
vice-regent. (They go out the rear door. Cheevers 
starts out side door and meets Tom and Molly Jinks 
coming in. They have their wraps on.) 

molly. Have they gone? You know, I felt real 
sorry for Comrade Sonten until — 

jinks. Ex-comrade now ! 

molly. Until he resigned from the party just be- 
cause he's sore at Comrade Sawers. 

jinks. He surprised me there, after we won out, 
too. If he had stayed in, we could have fixed Sawers 
dead easy. Now Sawers will try to be the whole thing. 

molly. I'll call him down if he gets too chesty 
around me. I'm not afraid of him. And I guess he'll 
have a little respect for Comrade Bort after this, too. 
But aren't you going home with us, Comrade Cheev- 
ers? We are ready. 

cheevers. Yes, I'll be very glad to put up with you 
over night. 



58 ARTHUR SONTEN 

jinks. I have a little business I want to transact 
first. If you will wait here I will be back in half an 
hour, and we can all walk home together. 

molly. Be sure you don't go into a saloon and get 
to talking. If you do, Comrade Cheevers and I will 
go home without you. 

jinks. I'm not afraid to trust you with him. He's 
my comrade, you know. Ha, ha, ha! (He goes out.) 

cheevers. Won't you play something, Comrade 
Jinks? 

molly. Sure, Mike! I like to hear you sing! (She 
sits down at the organ and plays "Jesus, Lover of My 
Soul." Both sing.) 

cheevers. Don't you play any songs of the revolu- 
tion ? The Red Flag, The Marseillaise, or Glory, Hal- 
lelujah, I'm a Bum? 

molly. No, — only gospel hymns. Do you sing 
"Washed in the Blood of the Lamb?" 

cheevers (puts his hand on her shoulder and leans 
over her as he looks at music). I used to! But I've 
sung it so often, I'm tired of it ! 

molly. Tom won't let me play gospel hymns. He 
hates them so ! He calls himself an infidel. 

cheevers. Are you an infidel, too? 

molly. I don't know what I am. I don't believe 
in the churches, that's sure. 

cheevers. Neither do I. That's why I left them. 

molly. They're no good for the working class. 
Preachers are parasites. Say, Comrade Cheevers, I 
want to ask you a question. What do they mean by 
saying we are in favor of free love? I have always 
said it wasn't so, but I'd like to hear what you say. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 59 

cheevers (leans on her harder. She draws away.) 
We are the only ones who really believe in love. Love, 
to be good, must be free. It must not be bought and 
sold as it is now. Why does a woman marry under 
the present system ? Merely to get her bed and board ! 
Socialism would replace the sordid home where pov- 
erty reigns, forcing on woman unwelcome embraces — 
(He puts his arm around her. She lets it remain.) 
because she is the slave of some man. Remove pov- 
erty and you remove fear from woman ; you take away 
her chains which are so galling to her real nature. 

molly (hypnotized by his oratory). I don't believe 
I understand you, but it sounds beautiful. 

cheevers. It is as beautiful as it sounds, — it is 
heaven on earth. Socialism destroys the home? It 
ought to destroy the most of those that prevail to-day, 
where jealousy, strife, discord and hunger stalk; where 
woman is tied to menial work and can not spread her 
wings : where man only eats and sleeps and leaves. 

molly. That's true! O, it's glorious to belong to 
the revolution! I don't care what people say, we are 
the only ones who are working for what's best in life, 
aren't we, Comrade? 

cheevers. Yet the world decries us. It crucified 
Christ, and it would crucify us Socialists, if it dared. 

molly. That's true ! I never heard anyone explain 
it as you do. But you musn't hold me so tight. Some 
one might come in and see you. 

cheevers. Who would come at this time of night? 
Besides, we could hear him climbing the stairs. 

molly. But do you think it is right ? What would 
Tom say, if he knew? 



60 ARTHUR SONTEN 

ckeevers. He would say nothing if he did not — 
If he knew with our knowledge, he would say 
Amen! "It is not good for man to live alone," it 
is written. Yet that is what I am compelled to do in 
my work for the proletariat. I must travel from town 
to town, preaching the message of the emancipation 
of labor. It is a work of duty and of love. When I 
meet one like you in sympathy with the cause, it 
touches my heart and makes it overflow. I know you 
understand me and agree with me. {He embraces 
her.) 

molly {shoves him away). You mustn't do that, 
Comrade Cheevers ! You will make me hate you and 
hate myself. While I cannot answer you, I feel it 
must be wrong somewhere. I wish Tom would come 
back. {She walks towards door.) 

cheevers {following her). The time is up when he 
was to return. He undoubtedly thought we had gone 
home and went directly on. You needn't be afraid of 
his catching you. 

molly. I must go! If he gets there before I do, 
what will he think! 

cheevers. You can say we stopped at a moving 
picture show for two films. 

molly. No, no! Let me go. I have never lied to 
him yet, and I won't now ! You know it is wrong, or 
you would not try to put a lie in my mouth ! 

cheevers {locks door and puts key in his pocket. 
She runs to other door, and he beats her there and 
locks that). Now you will stay and listen to me. I 
have you in my power ! 

molly {breaks away from him). Let me go or I'll 
scream ! 



ARTHUR SONTEN 61 

cheevers. Who'd hear you? Besides, you'd only 
disgrace yourself. No one would believe that I — 

molly (wringing her hands). Oh, why did I stay? 
Why doesn't Tom come? If I had thought you were 
that kind of a man! You are as big a hypocrite as 
Sonten says you are! 

cheevers. And you are the sweetest young lady I've 
seen on my travels. 

molly. You're a nice one to talk like that to a mar- 
ried woman. 

cheevers. Do you think so? (He swiftly kisses 
her.) 

molly. Aren't you ashamed of yourself? 

CHEEVERS. No ! 

molly. Well, you ought to be ! What would Son- 
ten say if he knew? 

cheevers. He'll never know. 

molly (half smothered in his arms). I've a notion 
to tell him. (Knocking is heard on the door.) 

cheevers. Who's there? 

a voice. It is I, Sonten. Let me in. 

cheevers ( to Molly) . Take this key and go out that 
door as I let him in the other. Not a word to a soul, 
remember ! I'll wait here for you. 

molly. You've mussed my hair all up! (She un- 
locks door and goes out, as Sonten is let in.) 

Arthur. I forgot my glasses. (Goes to table and 
puts them in his pocket. Looks at Cheevers carefully.) 
Well ? Up to some of your old preacher's tricks again ? 
Who is the lady ? 

cheevers. You're dreaming. There is no lady. 



62 ARTHUR SONTEN 

Arthur. No? {Opens door swiftly, looks out, and 
comes in smiling.) So! It's Molly! You thought 
you could get even with Jinks for defending me by 
fouling his nest ! A preacher's revenge ! Bah ! You 
sicken me! 

cheevers. I'll have you understand that I won't tol- 
erate such an insinuation from you, an expelled mem- 
ber — 

Arthur. A resigned member, you mean. One whom 
you tried to expel and couldn't. The better I know 
the pillars of the party, the more pleased I am to cut 
their acquaintance. There is not one of you but fails 
in real manhood. You take advantage of your super- 
ior education to exploit the more credulous and trust- 
ing members of the party. 

cheevers. I suppose you are perfect, of course ! 

Arthur. By no means, but I am still struggling on 
towards perfection. I know it is inattainable, but I 
can at least approach nearer the goal by continuous 
effort. 

cheevers. You have turned anarchist as well as 
atheist, it seems. 

Arthur. And you didn't have to turn, — you stayed 
put. 

cheevers {irately). If I get my hands on you, it 
won't be good for you, you — 

Arthur. Physical f orcist, eh ? Who's the anarchist 
now, I wonder? Your abuse doesn't reach me, and 
though I am no fighter, I can take care of myself. So 
don't touch me, if you know what's good for you. 

cheevers. I suppose you'll prefer charges against 
me? 



ARTHUR SONTEN 63 

Arthur. No! I believe in giving every calf more 
rope. You'll hang yourself soon enough. Virtue is 
its own reward and vice its own punishment. 

cheevers. Every fool is full of wise saws ! 

Arthur. I know what I say makes no impression 
on you, and I'm indifferent whether it does or doesn't. 
I'm through with you and your kind, — prating reform- 
ers who always have an eye to windward. 

cheevers. You got your property by taking the un- 
earned increment from the poor. I suppose you're go- 
ing to give it back, — you're such an honest man ! 

Arthur. And while you're not an anarchist, you 
agree with the excellent M. Proudhon, that property 
is theft, do you not? 

cheevers. Most of yours is, and you know it. What 
you didn't get by skinning, your father left you. Gift 
is little better than theft. 

Arthur. And because you haven't inherited or ac- 
quired any wealth, you are better than those who have ? 
It's easy to be virtuous ; go bankrupt ! 

cheevers. I'd rather be a bankrupt than a receiver 
of stolen goods. 

Arthur. Yet you would have stolen the virtue 
of a fellow comrade's wife, had I not happened in. 
Words come easy to you who have dealt in them all 
your life, but deeds are hard. If you mean what you 
say, your acts would accord with your speeches. Hy- 
pocrisy is saying one thing and doing the opposite. Yet 
I don't want to set up as judge. I realize that when I 
criticize you, I reflect on my own self as well. I have 
few deeds to show. 



64 ARTHUR SONTEN 

cheevers. Why don't you write a book? Or are 
you just a dilettante? 

Arthur. Dilettanti make the best artists if they set- 
tle down to their work seriously. To-night, now while 
we are talking, ten thousand pens are swiftly traveling 
over virgin paper, covering it with words of commer- 
cial value for newspapers, magazines, books, pamphlets 
— all destined to die within the day or the year. But 
somewhere in the world there is one who is settling 
down his thought wrested out of burning experience. 
He is putting it down in joy, aware that it is unde- 
cipherable by his contemporaries, but assured that it 
will be understood by those who follow him. 

cheevers (more smoothly). Sonten, you are a 
mighty interesting talker, and I would like to stay and 
listen to you all night. I am sorry, however, to say 
that I have an engagement and must be excused. Be- 
sides, the morning has its duties, and I am not so for- 
tunately situated as you are, that I can lie abed until 
noon. Before I go I wish to say that I am sincerely 
sorry — to use your favorite word — to lose you from 
the party. You had better reconsider your resignation. 

arthur. Never ! 

cheevers. Wait a moment! Reconsider it for the 
present, until you have let the heat of this unfortunate 
episode radiate off into space. Then, if you are still 
determined to leave us, you will be credited with act- 
ing in cold blood, and not in a sudden pique. 

Arthur. I remember your quitting the pulpit very 
well. It struck me like a blast of dynamite. It was 
one of the things that shook my faith, and made me 
open my eyes to the superstitions of religion more than 
anything else. I could see the contrast between your 
word and your deed. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 65 

cheevers. You are always discovering contrasts. 

Arthur. I find none in such a man as Haeckel. 

cheevers. Oh, Haeckel is a charlatan, a quack! 
He's been discredited by his own colleagues. You 
haven't seen the editorial in the last Christian Specta- 
tor. You should read it. It proves him guilty of fak- 
ing up drawings of embryoes. His gastraea theory is 
completely refuted. 

Arthur. Cheevers, you are a fanatic yet. You be- 
lieve in substance and God ; not that substance is God. 
No wonder you like to preach! You should never 
have resigned your pulpit ! You are still a theologian. 

cheevers. Am I a theologian ? I, who have no the- 
ology! 

Arthur. You mix political economy with religion 
and exchange the muddy product of your mind with 
the proletariat for a living. Excuse me if I seem per- 
sonal, but you have made a personal matter of my op- 
position to you, and I cannot be blamed if I try and 
make our utter disagreement plain. 

cheevers. It's plain enough without your taking so 
much pains. We are personally antipathetic. You are 
at one pole and I at the other. You have no religion, 
I have. You have no faith in humanity, I have. You 
have no morals, I have. You are a materialist, I am 
an idealist. 

Arthur. Anything more? Let me retort in kind. 
I have no fashionable views on religion, you have ! I 
have faith in a striving humanity, you in a parasitic 
one. I have morals enough to seek the approval of my 
own conscience, you care not what you do, so long as 
you gain popular applause. You would exploit man's 
tendency to seek higher levels, and throw your own 



66 ARTHUR SONTEN 

weight upon him as he climbs the dangerous cliffs; I 
would climb with him, seeking and lending a helping 
hand. 

cheevers. Words, words! 

Arthur. True, but words that point towards acts. 
We look into the past ; whom do we see ? Those who 
left an amplitude of performance. I at this moment 
have little to show; the intention is all, and that is 
something. You have not even that, for your desires 
are purely sensual. 

cheevers. Rot! I am going. (Telephone rings.) 
Hello ! Yes, he's here. Someone for you ! 

Arthur (at phone). Is that you, Eltine? — You are 
coming? — Right away? I'll wait for you. — A woman 
here ? What do you take me for ? — No ! I should say 
not! — Well, hurry up then. 

cheevers. She doesn't trust you as much as you do 
yourself! From a wife's lips learn her husband's 
frailty ! 

Arthur. From a husband's acts, learn a wife's de- 
votion. (Tom and Molly Jinks come in.) 

molly (calling). Comrade Cheevers! Come on, if 
you are ready ! Tom is here now ! 

cheevers (puts on his hat and takes up his valise). 
Coming, coming! 

jinks (offering to take valise). Shan't I carry it 
for you, Comrade ? 

cheevers. It is a little heavy! (Lets him take it.) 
jinks. Not very! (He goes on ahead. Molly takes 
Cheevers' arm and they follow Tom.) 

molly. Good night, Comrade Sonten! 



ARTHUR SONTEN 67 

Arthur. Good night, Mrs. Jinks! {They go out.) 

eltine {coming in). Who was that I passed on 
the stairs? 

ARTHUR. Why? 

eltine. I thought I heard the sound of a kiss ! 

Arthur. Probably you did ! Molly Jinks is escort- 
ing Comrade Cheevers home, and extending to him 
the courtesies of the occasion. 

eltine. She's a low down thing ! 

Arthur. And he has the devil's own tongue in his 
head. He can split a hair forty ways. 

eltine. If he can cut it any finer than you can, he'll 
take the championship. Come on, it is getting late ! 

Arthur. Sit down a minute! We're here alone, 
and here for the last time. The spell is on me. I want 
to tell you something before it leaves me. 

eltine. Oh, I suppose I might as well. But don't 
stay too long! 

Arthur. I'll be as concise as I can while making it 
plain. Cheevers said something that cut deep. I didn't 
notice his hard names, his insults, his innuendoes, his 
sneers. They didn't even prick the skin. But when 
you telephoned if there was a woman here, he said, 
"There, your wife doesn't trust you!" That made me 
wince ! 

eltine. You shouldn't care for anything that old 
Tartuffe says. 

Arthur. Perhaps not, — but then why did you ask 
me that question? 

eltine. I was joking, of course. 



68 ARTHUR SONTEN 

Arthur. Jokes lose their point by too frequent rep- 
etition! I know that my conduct wasn't the best the 
first years of our married life, but since I have found 
something to live for, I have kept myself clean in all 
respects. 

eltine. Your love for me should have kept you so 
from the start. 

Arthur. You were raised as a girl of the country ; 
I as a boy of the town. You were not taught the dual 
code ; I was. When I came to see its shallowness, its 
sophistical barrenness, I gave it up. Since then there 
has been no other woman for me, and there will be 
none the rest of my life. Literature gives me all the 
subsidiary outlet for my emotions that I need. As long 
as I remain faithful to it, I shall remain faithful to 
you. This contact with Cheevers inspires added dis- 
gust for all hypocrisy. I am done with lies forever ! 

eltine. I am so glad! But I'll keep my eye on 
you just the same. 

arthur. Don't be vulgar ! You and I are not the 
ordinary Philistine couple, concerned in getting all the 
vulgar pleasure we can out of life, and cheating each 
other at the game. We are emancipated from religion 
and superstition; those avenues that afford retreat 
to pretense and ignorance. I am now cutting off 
the road to political preferment by leaving a grow- 
ing party, which can soon reward its adherents with 
office. There are but two things left — you and my pen. 

eltin'E. I have two things left also — you and the 
children. 

arthur. Well said! Let us devote our lives to 
them, with no fear of outside interference. If you 
want to gain their respect and keep your own, you will 



ARTHUR SONTEN 69 

identify yourself so intimately with their growth as 
to become a part of them. You will renew your youth 
in theirs. 

eltine. I don't think I understand you. Do you 
mean to turn all the care of the children over to me? 
It sounds that way. 

Arthur. By no means ! I shall aid you in every 
way. First, I must provide the funds for the house; 
that is no small task. Next, I must help you in the 
dark days to solve the problems such days always 
bring. Last, I must look ahead to preparing Alfred 
towards earning his livelihood at some trade or spe- 
cialty in the professions. Specialization in business 
brings leisure for generalization in culture. Then I 
must help you choose an honorable and alert husband 
for Mildred. All that is my duty as partner, husband, 
father. 

eltine. If you do that well, you will do enough. 
But sometimes I doubt if you love me. 

Arthur. All that I've said proves it. 

eltine. But you haven't kissed me once, and we're 
all alone. 

Arthur. You talk like I'm a regular Cheevers, and 
can't be alone with a woman five minutes without 
showing sexual passion. 

eltine. But I'm your wife; not your — 

Arthur. Wives can strike the sensual note at the 
wrong moment as well as those who are not wives, or 
as well as men who are not husbands. 

eltine. Just because we are married is no reason 
we shouldn't enjoy ourselves. 

Arthur. We have enjoyed ourselves, and we shall 



70 ARTHUR SONTEN 

again. But sensuality affords less and less joy as one 
grows older. I am seeking for something to take its 
place, and I have found it in my work. Creation af- 
fords the highest, purest joy. You know that joy 
through having given birth to the children. 

eltine. Of course, the children! That's all that's 
left to me. You must think I have the time of my life 
waiting on them. I nearly run my legs off for them, 
yet you are not satisfied. All the easy things you want 
for yourself: all the hard ones you leave to me. Is 
that fair? 

Arthur. If I were not sworn to patience, I would 
tear my hair. Art creations require infinite pains and 
infinite love ; the children require the same ; both pay 
a hundred-fold for the affection we lavish on them. 
Until you can see this so clearly that you will not ques- 
tion its truth, you will be subject to the whims of the 
day, open to passing temptations. 

eltine. Like you were ! 

Arthur. I'm glad you said "were", not "are". That 
proves that I have made some progress in your confi- 
dence. And now let's go home. Or would you rather 
go to some restaurant and take a bite ? 

eltine. No, not to-night! That would be catering 
to the appetite instead of to the reason. Let's go 
straight home and see if the kids are safe and sound. 

Arthur. Now you're shouting ! 

eltine. I thought that would tickle you. (Turns 
around.) Well, good-bye, smoky old hall ! Good-bye, 
Comrade Sawerski, Pelterski and Jinkowski ! Good- 
bye, Mrs. Piddle, Mrs. Hiddle and Mrs. Shiddle! 
(Sings.) "We're going to leave you now!" (Grabs 
Arthur's arm and dances out as the 
curtain falls. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 
ACT III. 

The library of Arthur Sonten at his country home, 
Black Oaks. French windozvs open onto porch in rear f 
and door (left) upon hall, (right) upon music room. 
A library table in middle of room, a fireplace down 
right, book cases on the left. Chairs, rugs, pictures — 
in profusion. 

eltine (setting things to rights). Hurry Mildred! 
They will be here before we have straightened up ! 
Pick up those papers and put them under the table ! 

mildred. There won't be anyone here except Ru- 
bie. He always comes, — besides, I haven't practiced 
my lesson yet. (She picks up papers and goes into 
music room and does her lesson loudly.) 

eltine (holding her ears). Stop! Stop that noise ! 
You shouldn't pound the piano that way. Hasn't your 
teacher told you to be careful of your expression? 
(After a few resentful notes, the playing becomes more 
musical.) 

Arthur (comes in with wood and coal and starts 
fire in fireplace). It isn't so cold, but the fire will make 
it more cheerful. 



72 ARTHUR SONTEN 

eltine. Of course ! But be careful you don't make 
a muss. I've just finished sweeping. 

Arthur (lights fire and rises). You shouldn't both- 
er so much how things look. You are a slave to ap- 
pearances. It's the inner cleanliness that counts. 

eltine. That's what your Socialist friends said 
and let the dirt pile up in heaps. Health of body and 
mind follow cleanliness, not filth. Water is cheap 
and so is air. Even those chronic grumblers can't 
complain of the monopolization of those necessaries. 

Arthur. I've heard you say that before. You like 
to rub it in a little, because I chose to take the course I 
did, and go through an experience that others avoided. 
The right way to judge people is to mix with them, to 
share their hopes and fears, their hates and their 
loves. The reason I think I can write something worth 
while is because I have felt so much. 

eltine. Nobody wants your dope! 

Arthur. Don't sneer ! Only one who has loved and 
has been loved can speak articulately of the sacred 
flame ; only one who has been hated can treat ade- 
quately of hatred and so on. There are lots of writ- 
ers who have conquered technique; there are only a 
few who can put down living words, because only a 
few have actually lived. 

eltine. The only people you know are the Saw- 
treys and the Jinks. 

Arthur. Such ones speak their thoughts instead of 
concealing them. Even you must have liked Molly 
Jinks, or you wouldn't have taken her into this house. 

eltine. I felt sorry for her after her husband de- 
serted her. Besides, I have to have someone to help 



ARTHUR SONTEN 73 

me with the work. I can't do everything, as much as 
you would like to have me try to. 

Arthur. There, there ! Don't begin scolding ! She 
is here and I am glad of it. We'll find the means to 
pay her until Mildred grows up. 

eltine. Molly likes melodramas ; stories full of 
action. Why don't you try to suit such people as she? 
They're the kind that fill the theatres. 

Arthur. A good workman cannot produce a sloppy 
article. 

eltine. Sloppy plays are the ones that make 
money. 

Arthur. They do with a star in the cast for a sea- 
son or two, and then sink into oblivion. Old stars 
cease to dazzle as soon as new ones appear on the 
horizon. Even Shakespeare fails to draw without new 
stars. 

eltine. Then why don't you write for the new 
stars. 

Arthur. I'm no ladies' tailor! 

eltine. Then try society drama ! 

Arthur. I feel life too keenly to be interested in 
filth. 

eltine. Why keep on at all since you know you're 
doomed to failure? 

Arthur. That is not a certainty. The intellectual 
drama is no failure. The Greek plays are still alive. 

eltine. But the Greek authors were geniuses ! 

Arthur. Now you have got 'round the circle back 
to your starting place. If a man is a genius, he can 



74 ARTHUR SONTEN 

write plays that live ; if he is not, he may, by the help 
of stars or slap-sticks, write those that make money. 
It's genius versus gold. 

eltine. I prefer gold. 

Arthur. You mean you prefer what gold will buy, 
— death ! The rich die young, if not physically, then 
mentally. 

eltine. And the poor have a living death. We'll 
starve if you don't do something to make money. 

Arthur. I am watching both ends pretty well. I 
only devote my spare time to literature. It's my hobby. 

eltine. And you'll ride your hobby into the ditch. 

Arthur. I guess not. We still have our three 
squares a day. (Molly Jinks comes in.) Don't we, 
Molly? 

molly. You do as long as I am the cook ! 

eltine. Why, Molly ! You don't mean to say that 
I can't cook as well as you do ? 

molly. You can cook as well, but not as much ! 
Mr. Sonten looked half starved when you took me in. 

Arthur. There, Eltine! You have your answer. 
(Molly leaves in triumph.) 
eltine. Isn't she a reasonable thing? 

Arthur. Such ones as Molly never use their own 
reason ; an appeal to that faculty in her would fall to 
the ground. She is ruled by her emotions, instincts 
and passions entirely. That is why her life was 
wrecked. 

eltine. Yet she laughs and sings all day long. I 
sometimes envy her her happy disposition. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 75 

Arthur. The southern negro is happy, — because he 
is more animal than man. We pay for our higher 
culture by feeling keener joy and keener pain. Do you 
think Molly would have thought of organizing such a 
club as meets here to-day ? 

eltine. O, the club is all right ! It's some fun, any- 
ways. It's time the members were beginning to ar- 
rive. (Peering out windozv.) There is grandmother! 
She's the first to come as usual, and the first to leave. 
And there's your sister, Lolita, too. I'm glad she's 
here! 

Arthur. We'll make her read, if we're shy one. 
(Ella Sonten and Lolita Elders enter. They have 
aged considerably since zve last saw them. Ella's hair 
has whitened. Lolita has developed into a fine zvo- 
man. ) 

eltine. How do you do, mother! Hello, Lolita! 
(Kisses them.) I'm awfully glad you came. 

ella. We passed Albert on the way. He said he 
wasn't coming, but he must have changed his mind. 
Where is Mildred? 

eltine. Oh, she's about somewhere! (To Lolita.) 
Where is your husband? Couldn't you get him to 
come? 

lolita. He had some work to finish up at the of- 
fice. (To Arthur.) Well, how's our American Mo- 
liere getting along? 

Arthur. Quite well, thank you. And how's our 
Yankee Marie Corelli? 

lolita. Good! Only I've given up writing since I 
married. My music is all I keep up now. 

Arthur. We'll have you play something before 
you go. I love to hear your renditions of Chopin. 



76 ARTHUR SONTEN 

lolita. I'll try to gratify your love before I de- 
part. But I'm crazy about your club. I've heard so 
much of it. Did you ever try sending your work to 
Molosso? 

Arthur. I've tried everybody in America, — mana- 
gers, publishers and agents, solely to enrich the express 
companies. I favor a parcel post for MSS; it would 
save me several dollars a year ! 

ella. Why do you keep on writing, if nobody cares 
for your work? 

Arthur. O, because I am a sort of a stubborn per- 
son! Each repulse makes me more determined to go 
ahead. Besides, I have learned a lot about our Amer- 
ican gods in that way. Their feet I find all made of 
clay. 

eltine. We are having our fun out of it, at any 
rate. I believe he will succeed some day in finding a 
place. 

lolita. I know he will. (Pats Arthur on the 
cheek.) Poor little Arthur; it's too bad the way the 
cruel old world abuses him ! 

Arthur. When I started out, it was for the purpose 
of preaching Socialism to a larger audience. When I 
found the audience was reluctant, recalcitrant and re- 
fractory, I changed my purpose and tried for the com- 
mercial stage. When I saw I couldn't please that on 
account of dealing in reason instead of passion, I ap- 
pealed to the publishers of intellectual plays. I found 
them as commercial as the others and bigger poseurs. 
Finally, I decided to paddle my own canoe all by my 
lonesome. I got up this club, invited in my friends 
and relatives, and now we are swimming along famous- 
ly. The waves of this little movement will radiate 
around in every direction and finally reach the shore. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 77 

ella. I hope so! 

lolita. I'm sure of it. The world is bound to 
appreciate little Arthur at his true worth some day! 
It can't help itself. 

Arthur. A realistic author has to create a taste for 
his own wares. By private publication and sending 
out samples, I may arouse an appetite for Sontenium. 
But here are our members. I'll instruct them in their 
parts. (He goes out. Mildred Sonten comes in with 
some young friends.) 

eltine. This is my daughter, Mildred. I believe 
the others have all met before. Find seats. (The 
audience sits on one side.) They are going to read 
the first act of "The Unfortunate." (Albert comes in 
and stands at the door.) Albert, you are just in time 
to hear the new play. 

albert. I don't want to hear anything ! You want 
to make fun of me! 

eltine. No, we don't ! We want to entertain you ! 
(The scene shows a mountain slope in the Alps. The 
Unfortunate is wandering about in the snoiv, distracted 
with cold and hunger. He stumbles, rises on one knee 
and gradually falls recumbent. The snow partially 
covers him. 

The First Member, as Keeper, enters with Second 
Member, as Assistant.) 

keeper. His tracks lead this way. Look at this 
bush, — the snow has just been brushed off! He can't 
be far away now. 

assistant. He is on his feet yet ; that's a good sign. 
If he gets down, that will be the last of him. Whew ! 
It's cold! Do you want a pull out of my bottle? 



78 ARTHUR SONTEN 

keeper. No, thanks ! 

assistant (taking a long swig). It'll warm you up 
a little. You better have a nip ! 

keeper. Not now ! We're too close to fool with 
that stuff. Come on; this snow will soon cover his 
tracks. I've lost them already. (He goes out.) 

assistant (sings). 

Good liquor fires the heart, 
When Boreas' blasts do blow, 

And from your roof you part 
To wander through the snow. 

Oh, liquor, friend of man! 

(Stumbles over The Unfortunate.) Hello! What's 
this? It's the poor old blokie hisself. Whoa, there! 
I got 'im ! 

keeper (returns and brushes off The Unfortunate's 
face). Yes, it is he. Not cold yet. Perhaps we are 
in time. Here, with your bottle! Get a mouthful of 
that down his throat. 

assistant. If he isn't a rum bloke to go to sleep 
like that in the snow ! 

keeper. I'm afraid it's the long sleep for him. His 
teeth have set. I can't force down a drop. Now what 
shall we do with him? Can we carry him back be- 
tween us? 

assistant. Him? He doesn't weigh as much as a 
baby! (Lifts The Unfortunate in his arms.) Skin 
and bones! (Lets him down again.) 

keeper. I'll call the other searchers. (Halloos to 
the right. Faint answers are heard which soon grow 



ARTHUR SONTEN 79 

louder.) They're coming. His father is first. This 
will be a bad blow to him, but serves him right for be- 
ing such a skinflint as wouldn't pay a cent for his 
keeping. Of course, he's a good Christian — 

assistant. He serves the Lord by turning out his 
son to freeze. Old hypocrite! (Looks out.) The old 
lady is close behind him. She's a terror, too! (The 
Third Member, as Father, enters with Fourth Mem- 
ber, as Mother, following him.) 

father (to Keeper, anxiously). Have you found 
him? 

keeper (nods and points to The Unfortunate). 
There he is, ma'am. 

mother. Why, how cold he is! I wonder if he's 
dead? 

father (picking him up). He's frozen to death! 
What a terrible fate! God has punished us for our 
transgressions! My poor boy, my poor boy! (He 
sobs.) 

keeper (tenderly). Shall we carry him back, sir? 

mother. Come, father, you are not hardy enough 
to stand this cold. You must guard your health. Re- 
member, we could not help it. We did the best we 
could ! 

father. Yes, let us return. But it's hard! So 
hard ! To think of him wandering out here on the 
bare mountain-side — freezing to death ; while we were 
within our warm home, partaking of the Christmas 
cheer. I can't bear it! (He bursts into tears.) 

mother (takes his arm). There, father; don't cry! 
You are not to blame. You did the best you knew 
how. Poor boy! You're better off where you are 



80 ARTHUR SONTEN 

now; but it's awful to think of your coming to such 
an end. (To Keeper.) Lead back; we'll follow you! 

keeper. All right, ma'am. Of course, you know 
his head wasn't right. That's what caused it all. 

mother. Yes, he was hurt there (points to a scar 
on The Unfortunate's head) in his youth. My, how 
deep that scar is! A depression of the skull — as wide 
as two fingers ! I never knew it was so deep as that ! 
His thin hair shows it up now plainer than ever. Look, 
father ! 

father (half turning). I can't. 'Tis I who should 
have submitted him to the surgeon long ago. He might 
have turned out a brilliant man, — instead of this. 

mother. Yes, and he might have died at once. 

father. Better a quick death than the slow, agon- 
izing one lasting for twenty years. We have been 
forced spectators to the decay of an injured mind. 
Our cowardice has exacted its toll of agony. We are 
paying for it all at last ! 

keeper (respectfully). Are you ready to start 
back? 

mother. Take his arm; he is so shaken. (Assist- 
ant lifts body and carries it out. Keeper follows, help- 
ing the Father. Mother joins in behind — ) 

albert (shrieks). Stop! I can't stand it! That's 
my body you're carrying there ! ( He rushes out. A 
shot is heard. Panic seizes the body of readers. Ar- 
thur runs out, followed by others.) 

ella. What's happened? 

mildred (at door). Uncle Albert shot himself! 

ella. Shot himself! My God! (She collapses.) 



ARTHUR SONTEN 81 

molly jinks. He did it on your bed ! Now, what 
shall I do? O, O ! I wish I had never come here ! 

eltine. Albert killed himself ? Impossible ! Why — 

Arthur (comes in). He bored a hole through his 
poor, injured brain ! "The Unfortunate" was too near 
home for him, poor fellow! He couldn't bear to see 
his own picture. Mildred, get your grandmother a 
glass of water. (Mildred runs out.) He did it thor- 
oughly. Telephone the coroner and the undertaker! 
(Eltine goes out.) He is through his suffering at 
last! And we are through suffering for him. He is 
"The Unfortunate" in real life, — or in death, I should 
say. 

mildred (brings in a cup of water and gives it to 
Ella). Here, grandma! 

ella (gasps). Thank you, Mildred. Artie should 
never have written that play. Bertie couldn't stand 
it! 

Arthur. You made the condition, you set the scene ; 
I but furnished the actors. 

eltine (returns). The undertaker will be here 
shortly. 

ella. Which one did you send for? 

eltine. The coroner is fetching one. I don't know 
which. 

Arthur. Molly, go watch the body. (She goes 
out.) 

ella. I'm not strong enough to go through the or- 
deal. I'll telephone to Elder Campbell about the ser- 
vices after I get home. 

Arthur. I'll see to all the arrangements myself. 
You needn't bother yourself in the least. 



82 ARTHUR SONTEN 

ella. I wish Elder Cheevers were still in the 
church. I should like to have him officiate at the cere- 
mony. 

Arthur. We'll hold secular services over Bert. 
We'll have neither Cheevers nor Campbell. We'll read 
the lay ritual and inter him decently, — without lies or 
mawkishness of any kind. A death of this sort should 
be treated as a lesson to the living, not as a compliment 
to the dead. It shouldn't be made the occasion of flat- 
tering our sentimental side or of tickling our vanity by 
covering up our neglect. 

ella. If you want to bury him like a dog, go ahead 
and do it! If your father were still alive, he would 
have something to say about that ! But now that I am 
unprotected, you can ride over me rough-shod. I'm 
nobody anymore. 

eltine. Lolita is dismissing the club. I suppose 
this will be its last meeting. It won't dare go ahead 
after this catastrophe. 

ella. It all comes through your ungodliness, Ar- 
thur. You can not succeed when you turn away from 
God. 

Arthur. Look here, mother ! You have a way of 
turning things around in your own favor and against 
everyone who differs with you. I've stood it long 
enough, and I don't propose to stand it any longer. 

ella. If you start preaching any of your infidelity 
to me, you might as well hold your peace. You ought 
to be ashamed of yourself after you see the results of 
your words. You drove Albert into a frenzy on pur- 
pose. 

Arthur. That's a lie! 



ARTHUR SONTEN 83 

eltine. Arthur ! Can't you keep still ! Don't you 
see she's in no frame of mind to — 

Arthur (to Eltine). You want me to stand here 
like a stone and let her accuse me unjustly? I'm not 
built that way. (To Ella.) I don't care if you are my 
mother, — in fact, it's all the more shame because you 
are my mother, for you to say such a terrible thing. 
It's all on account of your heartless religion, — cer- 
tainly it comes from no natural motherly instinct. I 
was Bertie's best and only friend. He knew it and 
trusted me. When others drove him wild with their 
taunts, he came to me for comfort. You remember 
when we went nutting together and I lost my shoes 
and father licked me? 

ella. That was your baptismal day ! I shall never 
forget it! You started on your career as a Christian 
by breaking the Lord's Holy Sabbath. 

Arthur. My union with the church didn't make me 
forget my duties to my brother. That day he would 
have killed both you and father if it had not been for 
me. He tried to knife Maggie as it was. That was 
why she left the next day with Cheevers. 

ella (sobs). I know he always listened to you! 

eltine. That's what I've always heard. 

Arthur. Because I loved him. I did not blame you 
for his acts. I did not hold him accountable for what 
he could not help, any more than I do now for this 
culmination. It all flows in a logical sequence from — 

ella. He was the brightest baby I had. (To El- 
tine.) You have seen his picture, — the one with the 
long, light curls. Don't you think it's sweet? 



84 ARTHUR SONTEN 

eltine. Indeed I do! It's the very likeness of 
my poor Alfred. I've often wished we had taken his 
picture before he died. 

Arthur. It was a mighty blow to us when we lost 
Alfie. We always wanted a son. It looks now as 
though we'll never have one. 

ella. Of all my eight children, now only you and 
Lolita are left! 

eltine. You have seen much sorrow! 

Arthur (turning to Ella). Mother! Now is not 
the time for us to quarrel. Let us put our backs to 
the wall and face the front together. The world has 
said enough about us already and about Albert. This 
act will be attributed to our treatment of him, and not 
to his weakened mind. Let us absolve ourselves of 
guilt with regard to him, and defend ourselves with 
clear consciences. 

ella. But you blamed me for it all ! 

eltine. And you blamed Arthur ! 

Arthur. Heredity and environment are the cause 
of more things than perverse wills. You, mother, in- 
herited your religion that taught you trust and resig- 
nation when you needed courage and resolution. My 
"Unfortunate" is so close to life that it hurts the 
strongest minds, let alone one that has been impaired 
by accident, disease, and disuse. My realism is the 
fault of the age, — or perhaps its glory. At any rate, 
I can no more help writing as I do, than you can help 
saying what you do, for I, too, am but the product of 
the forces of heredity and environment; the child of 
my age the same as you are the child of yours. 

ella. I don't understand what you are saying, but 
I feel that you want to be fair. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 85 

Arthur. Good! That is my real mother now, the 
companion of my boyhood days, the sharer of my 
joys, my sorrows, my plans, and my ambitions. I de- 
spaired of making you understand me, but I persisted 
in the face of an event that would have silenced a 
weaker heart. I know, mother, I am on the right road, 
because I follow the one lighted by the lamp of rea- 
son. This was bound to happen sooner or later, — bet- 
ter soon than late. 

ella. I know the Lord will not condemn him! 

Arthur. No, no more than we do. But the Lord 
had precious little to do with it ! 

eltine. When you two quit arguing will be after 
you both have drawn your last breaths ! 

Arthur. When you live by the lamp of reason, you 
must examine every step of your life by its light. Ar- 
gument is the brain at work. Poor Bertie couldn't ar- 
gue because his machinery was broken down. The 
superstitious can't, because their heads have been 
pounded to a pulp by dogmatists and authoritarians. 
To try logic with such people is to try to compliment 
a hunch-back on his shape. 

ella. I must go home and rest my head! This 
has been a day of horror to me. (She rises to go.) 
I'll leave everything in your hands, Arthur, but remem- 
ber if you invite any of your heathen friends in to 
conduct the services, I shall not come to the funeral. 

eltine. Mother! You wouldn't stay away! Ar- 
thur ! You'll not prevent her coming ? 

Arthur. I'll not do anything desperate, you can 
rely on that, — except pay the bills, — and in the present 
state of my finances that is the very edge of despera- 



86 ARTHUR SONTEN 

tion. Good-bye, mother ; and forgive me if I said any- 
thing to hurt you. 

ella. Good-bye, Artie! You know I love you in 
spite of all. (She goes out with Eltine. Lolita comes 
in. ) 

lolita (calls at door). Good-bye, mother! (To 
Arthur.) Poor mutterkin ! This is an awful blow to 
her! 

Arthur (grimly). She'll get over it! 

lolita. I hardly understand you, Arthur. You 
talk so heartlessly. 

Arthur. It sounds so to ears that have been dulled 
by lies. Let us let the past rest and look into the fu- 
ture. There is much to be done ! 

lolita. You and I planned great things when we 
were children. We were full of joy and ambition. All 
has gone up in smoke! Neither of us amounts to 
anything! I'm just a fat comfy old married woman 
with a neglected daughter and a pussy husband. I sing 
a little, paint a little, play a little, and eat a good deal. 
All that interests me outside my narrow animal wants 
is my work among the poor. I am doing wonders 
there ! 

Arthur. Tell me more of that ! 

lolita. The suffering I see! You would hardly 
believe it. Yet the one I did the most for, Mrs. Har- 
del, turned out an ingrate. She was evicted from her 
home — her husband was a drunkard and left her with 
five sickly children, one a cripple. She couldn't pay 
the rent; she had no fuel, no provisions. I took her 
into my home, clothed her children, circulated sub- 
scriptions for them, and as soon as she could put on a 
decent dress she stole out and went to live with a good- 



ARTHUR SONTEN 87 

for-nothing loafer. I felt so provoked, I wanted to 
have her arrested, but William wouldn't let me. Now 
she's worse off than ever, and whines about my not 
caring what becomes of her. I've washed my hands 
of her forever ! I want her to understand that ! I now 
am looking after a colored family. The mother's my 
laundry woman. She appreciates what I do for her ! 

Arthur. The same old impulsive Lola, I see. Well, 
go on with your work if you like it. But it's some- 
thing of a come-down from my high-spirited, proud 
and gifted Lola of old, — to stand in the muck when 
she might have climbed to the heights. 

lolita. Someone has to stand in the muck, as you 
call it. Why not I as well as another? 

Arthur. Why not, indeed ! I don't want to say 
anything that might hurt your feelings, but you know 
my way of going as straight to the center of a ques- 
tion as I can, and I'll tell you what I think, at the risk 
of incurring your resentment. 

lolita. O, go ahead ! You can't hurt me ! 

Arthur. We all can hurt each other, but we all 
can't help each other. There is the possibility of harm 
even in the fly that buzzes around your head. 

lolita (stamping her foot impatiently). Go on! 
I'm waiting for your revelation, Sir Oracle ! 

Arthur. Will you promise not to interrupt? It 
may take me some time to express myself clearly. 

lolita. Just so you finish for supper! I'm nearly 
famished ! 

Arthur. You don't seem to be in a reasoning 
mood, — perhaps I better wait till another time. 



88 ARTHUR SONTEN 

lolita. Honestly, I'll be quiet and I'll listen, but 
make it as short as you can. 

Arthur. Perhaps I better drop your case after all, 
— I don't understand it as well as I do my own, and I 
can make the same point by reference to my own ex- 
perience, and with less offense. 

lolita. But I thought you were going to say some- 
thing personal. 

Arthur. You can take it to yourself, if you wish. 
Now listen : I shared your ambitions with you in 
those old days, — I envied you your gifts and tried to 
find one like yours in myself. The only one I felt at 
all sure of was a talent to express my feelings in 
words. 

lolita. I remember one of your essays. That one 
with the odd title, "A Good Hater !" It was rich ! 

Arthur. You went your way conquering admira- 
tion by your several gifts, I winning a grudging word 
of praise by my single one, — and that from some old 
dry-as-dust professor. You got married and stopped 
your ascent of Mt. Olympus ; I went into business and 
came to a standstill, too. 

lolita. You have done well in business, haven't 
you? 

Arthur. I have made my living and that of my 
family and accumulated a little property. I've no rea- 
son to complain. After several failures in politics, I 
became disgusted with that game as an avocation — 

lolita. William calls it a side line. 

Arthur. It is a business of itself. Perhaps if I had 
so regarded it, I never would have entered it, or else 
have gone into it with my whole power. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 89 

lolita. But you were not cut out for a politician! 
It takes men of coarser stuff than you to succeed in 
that field. 

Arthur. Perhaps you are right! I was too impa- 
tient. I could not wait for the crowd to catch up 
with me. I had to go on ahead. 

lolita. The artist always goes ahead. 

Arthur. He goes towards his goal; the rest go 
towards theirs; he seeks full expression of his emo- 
tions ; they try to conceal theirs ; he is proud of his 
feelings ; they are ashamed of theirs ; he seeks to save 
his soul, they try to lose theirs. 

lolita. I wonder what makes you so different from 
anyone I ever met? Sometimes I doubt if you are 
my own brother. Then again it seems you have never 
changed; that you are the same dear little Artie that 
you always were. 

Arthur. Thank you, Lola ! I knew you would un- 
derstand me. Affection is a clarifier of the vision. 

lolita. Then you think I am doing wrong in my 
work for the unfortunates whose poverty, vice, disease 
and misery make my heart bleed? 

Arthur. You have come to the point. We can do 
nothing of moment to others only in our task of per- 
fecting our own talents, — our genius, if you want to 
call it such. 

lolita. You don't believe in charity, then ? 

Arthur. Charity work is for those whose hearts 
are wrapped up in it ! If it suits your inclinations and 
satisfies your utmost nature, then I shall have no more 
to say to you. 



90 ARTHUR SONTEN 

lolita. But what else am I to do? What can a 
woman do? One situated as I am? You wouldn't 
have me given to society and all that, like the rest, 
would you? 

Arthur. I would have you as you want to be. Joy, 
happiness, pleasure are deepest when they arise from 
the fullest exercise of our real selves. Your real self 
is mother, wife. Are you sure you are giving these 
sides of your character fair play ? 

lolita. O, now you are going to find fault with 
me. I won't listen to you any more. You know I am 
not to blame for all that's happened in my life ! 

Arthur. I give you credit for honesty. If you 
have tried as well as you knew how, you will find no 
reproach in my words. If you conscience accuses you 
of dereliction : — of setting aside duty for sensual in- 
dulgence, — then it is your monitor, not I. 

lolita. I hate to talk with you, — you always make 
me feel like crying. O, what am I to do with myself? 
You want to drive me to follow Bertie's example, — 
that's what you do! (She sobs.) 

Arthur (tries to pat her affectionately on the back. 
She shakes his hand off.) He wasn't right here; 
(Points to his head.) You may not be right here. 
(Points to his heart.) The one is irremediable; the 
other is medicinable. But, there! Forgive me for 
what I said. I wouldn't wound you for all the world. 
Won't you play one of your nocturnes now? It will 
relieve you and soothe us both after we have been so 
stirred by Bertie's mad act. (He assists her to music 
room. A beautiful nocturne of Chopin is heard. Mil- 
dred comes in with Ferdinand Cheevers, zvho is dressed 
as a doctor. They listen to the music.) 



ARTHUR SONTEN 91 

cheevers. If you would permit me to say it, that 
music reminds me of happier days. It takes me back 
to your grandfather's house, when Lolita Sonten used 
to play Chopin better than I've ever heard him played 
since. 

mildred. You mean Auntie Lita? It is she who is 
playing! Auntie! Auntie! (She runs out and brings 
in Lolita and Arthur.) Here is a gentleman who rec- 
ognized you by your playing! 

lolita. Well! If it isn't Elder Cheevers! Shake! 
Where in the world have you been all the time! It's 
a coon's age since I saw you last. What are you doing 
in those sad rags? 

cheevers. I was sent for in my professional capac- 
ity. There has been a descent in my fortunes since 
you and Arthur were boy and girl together. I now 
am only a coroner. 

Arthur. "What a fall is there, my country-men!" 
From Elder to Agitator, and from Agitator to Cor- 
oner ! 

cheevers. We will let all that pass, if you please. 
I had to make my living some way; — this job turned 
up, I accepted it, and that is all. I regret the occasion 
that brings me here. It is a hard blow to you and to 
your dear old mother, — God bless her! — but 'tis only 
one of those strokes of ill fortune to which all mortals 
are subject. I must confess, it will be the most pain- 
ful task I ever performed, — holding my autopsy over 
poor Albert. I remember him when he had those sun- 
ny curls, those snappy blue eyes. He was a beautiful 
child ! 

lolita (tearfully). Indeed he was! I shall never 
forget how he looked! 



92 ARTHUR SONTEN 

cheevers. "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh 
away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." 

lolita. That's true! (She sobs.) 

MILDRED. BOO hoO ! 

Arthur. Quite a Niagara you've brought upon us, 
Elder Cheevers, by your soft pedaling! The Lord 
didn't have anything to do with it, and you know it. 
We live and die according to nature's iron laws, and 
no other. (Eltine comes in.) 

cheevers. I know his mind wasn't right. I remem- 
ber advising your father against trepanning his skull. 
Surgery had not advanced to the point it has now 
reached. He took my advice and hence I am in one 
way responsible for the culmination of the tragedy. 

eltine. There, Arthur! You see your mother 
wasn't the only one to blame ! 

Arthur. Shake, Cheevers ! I see that you have im- 
proved since I saw you last ! 

cheevers. You needn't fear my verdict! It will 
be death from suicidal mania. I can assure you of 
that before I hear the evidence. There will be only a 
few formalities to go through. 

lolita. It's a lucky thing the coroner is a man who 
knows us so well ! 

cheevers. Thank you, Mrs. 

lolita. My name is Elders now ! 

cheever. Elders! Then you've married again? 

lolita. Yes. He is my fourth husband! 

cheevers. Hem! Evidently you believe in mar- 
riage. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 93 

lolita. Yes, and in divorce, too. Well, good-bye, 
Arthur. Let me know the date of the funeral. (She 
kisses Arthur and Eltine and goes to door.) Good- 
bye, Elder. I'm so glad to have met you again ! You 
must come and see me some day! 

cheevers. I should be pleased to. (Lolita goes 
out.) The same old happy Lola! She doesn't act a 
day older, though of course the years have wrought 
their effect on her. 

Arthur. That's the trouble with her; her mind 
refuses to keep pace with her body. She shirks duty 
now as easily as when a child, and without the excuse 
that childhood gave. But let's to business ! 

cheevers. With pleasure, — that is to say, with your 
permission. I suppose the first thing to consider is 
the casket! Albert should have a magnificent cata- 
falque in the church, under which a sumptuous coffin 
should lie, and — 

Arthur. Cut out the catafalque ! And leave out 
the church. He will have a plain coffin and be buried 
simply from this house with private services, conducted 
under the ritual of the secularists. 

cheevers. I'm sorry to hear that. Will Mrs. Son- 
ten, — your mother, — consent to such an ill-considered 
arrangement ? 

Arthur. She will if I pay for it, — and as she has 
no money to spare, she undoubtedly will consent. 

cheevers. And you, Mrs. Sonten? How will it suit 
you? 

eltine. O, I suppose he'll do as he always does: 
start out making everybody mad with his fool talk, 
and in the end do as we want him to. 



94 ARTHUR SONTEN 

Arthur (laughs). I guess she's about right there! 
But one thing I'll not permit, and that is church mum- 
mery. Simplicity, privacy and small expense shall 
characterize his burial, and if there must be lies spoken 
over his body, that's no more than has been done ovf,r 
millions of others ! 

eltine. Why couldn't you preside over the cere- 
mony, Elder Cheevers? It would please Mother Son- 
ten so much to have you, I know. 

cheevers. I have acted in that capacity several 
times since my new employment, — but generally in 
cases where the families were not so prominent as 
yours, — workingmen's families, — where my severance 
from the pulpit was not so well known. 

eltine. Oh, say you will consent, please! I know 
Arthur will not object, — will you, Arthur? 

Arthur. Before we go too far I should like to ask 
Elder — excuse me — Comrade — confound it ! — Coroner 
Cheevers, why he mentioned the kind of casket we 
should buy. Are you interested in coffins, too? 

cheevers. Only in a small way! I have a dear 
friend who is an undertaker. I sometimes recommend 
him to those in need of a quiet and judicious party in 
that trade. I believe he's upstairs now ! 

Arthur. O, I see ! Excuse me, Cheevers ! I never 
respected you as I ought. (To Eltine.) We'll leave 
everything in Cheevers' hands ! He will provide ! 

eltine. Good ! That's settled ! Now, won't you 
have a cup of tea before you go, Doctor? 

cheevers. Just one cup, mind you ! 

eltine. Mildred, tell Molly to serve tea. (Mildred 
goes out.) 



ARTHUR SONTEN 95 

molly (enters with tea things). Is that all, ma'am? 
The ice cream is melting! 

cheevers. Well, bless me, if it isn't Molly Jinks ! 
(Extends his hand to her.) Why, I didn't anticipate 
the pleasure of seeing you here. 

molly. It's no pleasure on my part, after your go- 
ing and separating me and Tom ! 

cheevers. I'm sure you are mistaken on that point. 
There must have been somebody else — 

molly (sobs). All I know is what he told me! He 
said you were to blame for it all ! (She goes out.) 

cheevers. A painful scene, a most painful scene ! 

Arthur. We are fixing it up. Tom has about de- 
cided to take her back again. It's the fourth time. 

cheevers. Oh, I see ! You are very good ! But I 
have some news for you ! I met Sam Sawers the oth- 
er day, though that is not the name he goes under now. 
He has become a theatrical manager, and seems to be 
prospering. 

Arthur. Sam Sawers ! The old snake ! 

cheevers. Alazar David, he calls himself. 

Arthur. Alazar David? Why, I sent him one of 
my plays and he returned it six months later without 
one word. If I had known it was before old Sam 
Sawers I was casting my pearls, I would have taken a 
second thought. 

eltine. Arthur's plays always come back. 

cheevers. Like bread cast upon the waters ! Why, 
don't you try the popular style ? First act, thief ; sec- 
ond act, reformer; third act, millionaire. It's a sure- 
fire combination. 



96 ARTHUR SONTEN 

eltine. Yes, and we know of plenty of such in- 
stances, too! Canal boys become presidents; stowage 
lads who got to be millionaires ; poor girls who mar- 
ried princes, etc., etc. 

mildred. I read of a seamstress who led the cotil- 
lion at New Port and married the Count of Nuttose ! 

cheevers. She's got you there, Comrade Sonten ! 

Arthur. It seems so, Comrade Cheevers. The 
crux of the question lies in what is success! Riches, 
place, power — or the production of a master-piece? 

eltine. Master-pieces don't get bread and butter. 
Besides, who knows a master-piece when he sees one? 
The creators of master-pieces are generally dead be- 
fore the world hears their names, — and they generally 
leave their families without a penny. 

cheevers. There is much truth in what you say, 
Mrs. Sonten. I gave up the idea of startling the world 
several years ago. The practical questions are the 
most important ones to solve first: after them come 
the plush furnishings. 

eltine. Just what I have told Arthur a hundred 
times, — but he won't listen to me. He's awful stub- 
born. 

Arthur. I suppose you would rather have a man 
like Sam Sawers — excuse me — Alazar David for your 
husband, wouldn't you? 

eltine. He makes money, anyways, and you don't! 

Arthur. No one around here is starving to death, 
is there? If I had to sell myself as often as Sam 
Sawers has to sell himself, I'd rather we'd all starve 
at once. A man can yet exist in this country without 
prostituting himself. Give me a fair degree of comfort, 



ARTHUR SONTEN 97 

simple necessities, and leisure hours, and I wouldn't 
trade places with all your Sam Sawers in the universe. 
I know, with such views, my work is bound to be ap- 
preciated by minds of delicacy and high intelligence; 
without such a hope I would have no incentive to 
write. One word of appreciation and cheer from a 
master is worth more than all the applause of the vul- 
gar! 

cheevers. Oh, so you, too, despise the rabble ! 
What is it Horace says : " o d i profanum vul- 
gus et arceo, " — I hate the vulgar crowd and I 
keep it aloof. You are in the way of being an 
aristocrat. What would become of our democratic 
institutions, if we should all accept your views? 

Arthur. If everyone accepted them, the rabble 
would become aristocratic, too. In fact, that is the 
very thing that is occurring. Under monarchical gov- 
ernment the few progress materially and spiritually; 
in a democracy the many go forward together. 

cheevers. Yet there is a great inequality of 
wealth; capital is concentrated in a few hands. We 
have a few billionaires who own the country. 

Arthur. They do not own people of independent 
minds. They do not own the free spirits, the invent- 
ors, artists, musicians, scientists, philosophers, poets. 
These can't be bought. The way to make wealth 
harmless is to respect genius. 

bltine. I prefer wealth to genius. 

MILDRED. So do I. 

cheevers. There you have your answer in your 
own family. 



98 ARTHUR SONTEN 

Arthur. They do not mean all they say. They are 
not such thorough-going Philistines as they would have 
it appear. Eltine is interested in scientific breeding in 
a dilettante way ; Mildred likes her music pretty well ; 
I am devoted to literature. You might say there is no 
money in any of those branches, yet we spend consid- 
erable time on them, and derive more pleasure from 
them than we could get from mere wealth. 

cheevers. There is money in all of those pursuits 
if you go after it right. 

eltine. Those are my very words. I've told Ar- 
thur that a thousand times. 

cheevers. Your husband has always been noted 
for being head-strong, if he will pardon me for say- 
ing it. 

Arthur. Cheevers, I'm glad you're here to talk to. 
You are accustomed to using your reason. I can ap- 
peal to that without fear of arousing your emotions. 
Women have been treated as passionate children de- 
void of logic for so many centuries that it is unsatis- 
factory to argue with the brightest of the sex. They 
let their feelings sway their judgment. I say that as a 
truism, and not as a reproach. 

eltine. Oh, I know you hold us way beneath you ! 
Yet you have had enough to do with women in your 
life, land knows! 

Arthur. I associated with what was nearest at 
hand. The whole matter of woman's inferiority can 
be summed up in one word — slavery. When she gains 
equal political rights with man, she will take her place 
by his side, — as an equal. 



ARTHUR SONTEN 99 

cheevers. I heartily favor woman's suffrage. It is 
as you say, a step towards her emancipation, but only 
a step. Neither man nor woman will be free, however, 
until the abolition of capitalism and the inauguration 
of the co-operative commonwealth. 

Arthur. That's cant Socialism ! 

eltine. I have no use for Socialism or Socialists. I 
don't bother my head about voting, either. 

cheevers. I don't thing so well of some of them 
as I used to. They didn't treat me right. Yet the pet- 
tiness of a few misguided so-called leaders ought not 
to blind our eyes to the essential justice of the plan. 

Arthur. Plan is a good word for it! Plan of sal- 
vation! Mankind cannot be saved by any plan, reli- 
gious or economic. There is growth, evolution in ev- 
erything. Progressives seek to aid evolution ; they ac- 
cept the law and try to extend it; they stimulate the 
development of peoples like horticulturists do that of 
plants. They are three classes of people : conserva- 
tives, who shut their eyes to the growth of the world 
and try to prevent it. 

cheevers. The stand-patters ! 

Arthur. So they are called derisively. Then, there 
are the Philistines, who count nothing either for or 
against betterment. 

cheevers. The mob ! 

Arthur. Lastly, there are the few courageous and 
enlightened spirits whose main business in life is to 
foster all improvement. 

cheevers. The remnant! ; ... 



100 ARTHUR SONTEN 

Arthur. The world calls them many names, mostly 
opprobrious. I term them the geniuses, — for, at bot- 
tom, genius is but a higher sort of courage, — the cour- 
age to believe in one's own ability. 

cheevers. I call it nerve. 

Arthur. A disparaging term, which you would 
hardly use to characterize the state of mind that led 
Aristotle to foreshadow the physical world, Shake- 
speare to picture the human mind, Darwin to open 
the book of nature. 

eltine. All men! 

cheevers. And all exceptions ! They were born 
great. 

arthur. Only men have been free enough in the 
past to look farther ahead than one generation, and I 
suspect even with the complete emancipation of wo- 
man, she will not look much farther than that. She 
will, however, look that far instead of seeing only the 
present moment, as the great majority of them do now. 

mildred. I read in a book ; man lives in the future, 
woman in the present. 

arthur. That's the thought! And most men are 
women in that respect! Goethe thought the highest 
title he could aspire to was to be called a man. 

cheevers. Goethe is no fit example to follow ! He 
was an immoral aristocrat! 

arthur. Belittle the great, because to understand 
them requires greatness, too. But I see Eltine fidget- 
ing, and by that I judge it is getting near supper time. 
I should like to invite you to stay. 

eltine. Arthur ! We have nothing cooked up ! He 
can have a dish of ice cream ! 



ARTHUR SONTEN 101 

cheevers. I'm just as much obliged, but I must go 
back and make out my report. (Rises.) So you leave 
everything in my hands? 

eltine. Everything ! 

cheevers. I think I understand what you want, and 
I'll take the greatest pains to satisfy you completely. 
I have enjoyed this little visit immensely, and after 
this sad occurrence has lost its poignancy, I should like 
to spend a Sunday afternoon in continuance of our dis- 
cussion. And now if you will be good enough to tell 
me where I may see the corpse. — (To Eltine, offering 
to show him.) No, no ! I'll find the way — mere form- 
ality, you know, — entirely unnecessary, but entitles me 
to the fee. I'll impannel a jury of my cronies for the 
inquest, who will find as I direct. And so, good day 
to you all ! 

eltine. Good day, Doctor. (He goes out.) I'm 
glad to get rid of the old hypocrite! I could hardly 
stand him. Why did you keep him so long? I was 
sitting on needles all the time! But you would talk 
to a post after you got started. 

mildred. I like to hear him talk. It was like my 
sociology teacher says at school. (She goes out.) 

Arthur. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth to listen 
to a thorough-going old scoundrel like Cheevers, — but 
he is no fool, — that is his redeeming trait. 

eltine. And I am ! I thought you would say that 
before you finished. Well, anyways, I didn't drive my 
own brother to a suicide's grave ! 

Arthur (imp erturb ably). You pick out an insult 
where none is meant, but perhaps I am entitled to 
it by the undue severity of my remarks about Cheev- 



102 ARTHUR SONTEN 

ers. I am, of course, partly responsible for Bertie's 
death. He could not bear to look upon "The Un- 
fortunate" — but the cause of his mind being so weak 
must be laid on accident and the neglect of others. 
I never have sought popularity directly, but now I 
am in the way of having it thrust upon me ; for 
there is no doubt about it, Bertie's death is popular. 
Mother is relieved of the pain of witnessing each 
day the proof of her own dereliction, and Lolita 
will draw a full breath now that she can not be 
taunted with having a crazy brother. I did what a 
surgeon would have done by an operation, — only the 
surgeon would have killed him and charged an enorm- 
ous fee for doing it ; — I did it for nothing. 

eltine. You confess your are the murderer of 
your brother, — a fratracide ! You make me shudder. 

Arthur. I am, on the contrary, the preserver of my 
family. A month or two after the funeral, you will all 
be acknowledging that fact, — at least tacitly. The 
Twentieth Century Flier was popular, although it 
killed scores every year. It was abandoned because it 
cost too much to run ; not because it was a death ma- 
chine. Death is the most popular thing in the world ! 
People run to greet her with smiles, toasts, huzzas, 
laughter, shouts, whistles, ringing of bells and baccha- 
nalian tumult. That is why only one person out of a 
thousand lives out his natural four score; the other 
999 go to greet their false friend long before she calls 
them. 

eltine. I suppose babies are to blame for dying, — 
they bring it on themselves ! 

Arthur. Parents whose course is directed by ignor- 
ance, pride, superstition or passion, lose the larger 



ARTHUR SONTEN 103 

share of their babies. Among the emancipated, death 
is a rare visitor. They fight her at her first approach : 
they drive her away as soon as she stops at the gate. 
They love life because life is precious to them; life 
enables them to do the work they have planned ; death 
stops the sculptor's hand before the marble is finished. 

eltine. I have seen that frieze! I didn't gather 
its full meaning at first view. 

Arthur. If you will pull down the shades, I'll 
throw the picture on the wall. I bought a slide Sat- 
urday. (Eltine pulls down the shades. A picture of 
"Death Staying the Hand of the Sculptor" is thrown 
on a screen on the back wall.) The foe of the artist 
would soul is full of love. The friend of the Philis- 
tine, whose soul is filled with greed and lust. (The 
picture fades azvay.) 

eltine (throwing herself into Arthur's arms). Oh, 
Arthur ! Forgive me for what I said ! I love you and 
I believe in you ! You are for me the true, the good 
and the beautiful ! 

Arthur. There, there, Tiny! Don't go from one 
extreme to the other, like a teetering balance! I am 
a good husband to you, and a good father to Mildred, 
— and you are a good wife and mother. Whether we 
are anything more than that, we'll have to leave to 
posterity to settle. 

eltine. But you do love me, don't you, Arthur? 
(He smiles at her tolerantly as the final 

curtain falls. 



MAR 5 1913 



Tribune Printing Co. 
South Bend, Indiana. 



